Treatment of pluripotent cells

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for treating human pluripotent cells. In particular, the methods of the invention are directed to the treatment of human pluripotent cells, whereby the human pluripotent cells can be efficiently expanded in culture and differentiated by treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3B) enzyme activity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/085,068, filed Nov. 20, 2013 (now allowed), which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/108,852, filed Apr. 24, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,623,648 (issued Jan. 7, 2014)). The complete disclosures of the aforementioned related patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods to treat pluripotent cells, whereby the pluripotent cells can be efficiently expanded in culture and differentiated by treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 33 (GSK-3B) enzyme activity.

BACKGROUND

Advances in cell-replacement therapy for Type I diabetes mellitus and a shortage of transplantable islets of Langerhans have focused interest on developing sources of insulin-producing cells, or β cells, appropriate for engraftment. One approach is the generation of functional β cells from pluripotent cells, such as, for example, embryonic stem cells.

In vertebrate embryonic development, a pluripotent cell gives rise to a group of cells comprising three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) in a process known as gastrulation. Tissues such as, for example, thyroid, thymus, pancreas, gut, and liver, will develop from the endoderm, via an intermediate stage. The intermediate stage in this process is the formation of definitive endoderm. Definitive endoderm cells express a number of markers, such as, HNF-3 beta, GATA-4, Mixl1, CXCR4 and SOX-17.

Formation of the pancreas arises from the differentiation of definitive endoderm into pancreatic endoderm. Cells of the pancreatic endoderm express the pancreatic-duodenal homeobox gene, PDX-1. In the absence of PDX-1, the pancreas fails to develop beyond the formation of ventral and dorsal buds. Thus, PDX-1 expression marks a critical step in pancreatic organogenesis. The mature pancreas contains, among other cell types, exocrine tissue and endocrine tissue. Exocrine and endocrine tissues arise from the differentiation of pancreatic endoderm.

The generation of a sufficient amount of cellular material for transplantation requires a source of the cellular material that can be efficiently expanded in culture, and efficiently differentiated into the tissue of interest, for example, functional β cells.

Current methods to culture human embryonic stem cells are complex; they require the use of exogenous factors, or chemically defined media in order for the cells to proliferate without loosing their pluripotency. Furthermore differentiation of embryonic stem cells often results in a decrease in the cells to expand in culture.

In one example, Cheon et al. (BioReprod DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.105.046870, Oct. 19, 2005) disclose a feeder-free, serum-free culture system in which embryonic stem cells are maintained in unconditioned serum replacement (SR) medium supplemented with different growth factors capable of triggering embryonic stem cell self-renewal.

In another example, US20050233446 discloses a defined media useful in culturing stem cells, including undifferentiated primate primordial stem cells. In solution, the media is substantially isotonic as compared to the stem cells being cultured. In a given culture, the particular medium comprises a base medium and an amount of each of bFGF, insulin, and ascorbic acid necessary to support substantially undifferentiated growth of the primordial stem cells.

In another example, WO2005086845 discloses a method for maintenance of an undifferentiated stem cell, said method comprising exposing a stem cell to a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) family of proteins, a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of proteins, or nicotinamide (NIC) in an amount sufficient to maintain the cell in an undifferentiated state for a sufficient amount of time to achieve a desired result.

Inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) are known to promote proliferation and expansion of adult stem cells. In one example, Tateishi et al. (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2007) 352: 635) show that inhibition of GSK-3 enhances growth and survival of human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) recovered from the neonatal or adult human heart and having mesenchymal features.

For example, Rulifson et al. (PNAS 144, 6247-6252, (2007)) states “Wnt signaling stimulates islet β cell proliferation.

In another example, WO2007016485 reports that addition of GSK-3 inhibitors to the culture of non-embryonic stem cells, including multipotent adult progenitor cells, leads to the maintenance of a pluripotent phenotype during expansion and results in a more robust differentiation response.

In another example, US2006030042 uses a method of inhibiting GSK-3, either by addition of Wnt or a small molecule inhibitor of GSK-3 enzyme activity, to maintain embryonic stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

In another example, WO2006026473 reports the addition of a GSK-3B inhibitor, to stabilize pluripotent cells through transcriptional activation of c-myc and stabilization of c-myc protein.

In another example, WO2006100490 reports the use of a stem cell culture medium containing a GSK-3 inhibitor and a gp130 agonist to maintain a self-renewing population of pluripotent stem cells, including mouse or human embryonic stem cells.

In another example, Sato et al. (Nature Medicine (2004) 10:55-63) show that inhibition of GSK-3 with a specific pharmacological compound can maintain the undifferentiated phenotype of embryonic stem cells and sustain expression of pluripotent state-specific transcription factors such as Oct-3/4, Rex-1, and Nanog.

In another example, Maurer et al. (Journal of Proteome Research (2007) 6:1198-1208) show that adult, neuronal stem cells treated with a GSK-3 inhibitor show enhanced neuronal differentiation, specifically by promoting transcription of β-catenin target genes and decreasing apoptosis.

In another example, Gregory et al. (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2005) 1049:97-106) report that inhibitors of GSK-3B enhance in vitro osteogenesis.

In another example, Feng et al. (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2004) 324:1333-1339) show that hematopoietic differentiation from embryonic stem cells is associated with down-regulation of the Wnt/0-catenin pathway, where Wnt is a natural inhibitor of GSK3.

Therefore, there still remains a significant need to develop methods for treating pluripotent stem cell such that they can be expanded to address the current clinical needs, while retaining the potential to differentiate into pancreatic endocrine cells, pancreatic hormone expressing cells, or pancreatic hormone secreting cells.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method to expand and differentiate pluripotent cells by treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method to expand and differentiate pluripotent cells, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Culturing pluripotent cells, and     -   b. Treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B         enzyme activity.

In one embodiment, the pluripotent cells are differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

The pluripotent cells may be human embryonic stem cells, or they may be cells expressing pluripotency markers derived from human embryonic stem cells, according to the methods disclosed in 60/913,475.

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (I):

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (II):

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (III):

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 17189731 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 1A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 1B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 17163796 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 2A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 2B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 17223375 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 3A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 3B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 18157698 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 4A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 4B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 26158015 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 5A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 5B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 26483197 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 6A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 6B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 26483249 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 7A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 7B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compound JNJ 10220067 on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 8A) and Sox-17 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 8B). Results were obtained from cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H1 (white bars), or cells of the human embryonic stem cell line H9 (black bars), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare).

FIG. 9 shows the expression of CXCR4 on the surface of cells, as determined by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometric analysis, on cells treated with the compounds shown, according to the methods described in Example 8.

FIGS. 10A to 10C show the expression of CXCR4 (FIG. 10A), HNF-3 beta (FIG. 10B), and Sox-17 (FIG. 10C), as determined by real-time PCR, in cells treated with the compounds shown, according to the methods described in Example 8.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compounds shown on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 1A) and Pdx-1 expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 11B), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare). Cells were treated according to the methods described in Example 9.

FIG. 12 shows the effect of a range of concentrations of the compounds shown on Pdx-1 expression (white bars) and HNF-6 (black bars), as determined by real-time PCR. Cells were treated according to the methods described in Example 9.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compounds shown on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 13A) and insulin expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 13B), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare). Cells were treated according to the methods described in Example 10.

FIG. 14 shows effect of a range of concentrations of the compounds shown on Pdx-1 expression (white bars) and insulin (black bars), as determined by real-time PCR. Cells were treated according to the methods described in Example 10.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show the effect of a range of concentrations of the compounds shown on cell number, as determined by the number of nuclei observed (FIG. 15A) and insulin expression, as determined by intensity of immunofluorescent staining (FIG. 15B), using the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare). Cells were treated according to the methods described in Example 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments, or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells defined by their ability at the single cell level to both self-renew and differentiate to produce progeny cells, including self-renewing progenitors, non-renewing progenitors, and terminally differentiated cells. Stem cells are also characterized by their ability to differentiate in vitro into functional cells of various cell lineages from multiple germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm), as well as to give rise to tissues of multiple germ layers following transplantation and to contribute substantially to most, if not all, tissues following injection into blastocysts.

Stem cells are classified by their developmental potential as: (1) totipotent, meaning able to give rise to all embryonic and extraembryonic cell types; (2) pluripotent, meaning able to give rise to all embryonic cell types; (3) multipotent, meaning able to give rise to a subset of cell lineages, but all within a particular tissue, organ, or physiological system (for example, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can produce progeny that include HSC (self-renewal), blood cell restricted oligopotent progenitors and all cell types and elements (e.g., platelets) that are normal components of the blood); (4) oligopotent, meaning able to give rise to a more restricted subset of cell lineages than multipotent stem cells; and (5) unipotent, meaning able to give rise to a single cell lineage (e.g., spermatogenic stem cells).

Differentiation is the process by which an unspecialized (“uncommitted”) or less specialized cell acquires the features of a specialized cell such as, for example, a nerve cell or a muscle cell. A differentiated or differentiation-induced cell is one that has taken on a more specialized (“committed”) position within the lineage of a cell. The term “committed”, when applied to the process of differentiation, refers to a cell that has proceeded in the differentiation pathway to a point where, under normal circumstances, it will continue to differentiate into a specific cell type or subset of cell types, and cannot, under normal circumstances, differentiate into a different cell type or revert to a less differentiated cell type. De-differentiation refers to the process by which a cell reverts to a less specialized (or committed) position within the lineage of a cell. As used herein, the lineage of a cell defines the heredity of the cell, i.e., which cells it came from and what cells it can give rise to. The lineage of a cell places the cell within a hereditary scheme of development and differentiation. A lineage-specific marker refers to a characteristic specifically associated with the phenotype of cells of a lineage of interest and can be used to assess the differentiation of an uncommitted cell to the lineage of interest.

“β-cell lineage” refer to cells with positive gene expression for the transcription factor PDX-1 and at least one of the following transcription factors: NGN-3, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, NeuroD, Isl-1, HNF-3 beta, MAFA, Pax4, and Pax6. Cells expressing markers characteristic of the β cell lineage include β cells.

“Cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage” as used herein refer to cells expressing at least one of the following markers: SOX-17, GATA-4, HNF-3 beta, GSC, Cerl, Nodal, FGF8, Brachyury, Mix-like homeobox protein, FGF4 CD48, eomesodermin (EOMES), DKK4, FGF17, GATA-6, CXCR4, C-Kit, CD99, or OTX2. Cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage include primitive streak precursor cells, primitive streak cells, mesendoderm cells and definitive endoderm cells.

“Cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage” as used herein refer to cells expressing at least one of the following markers: PDX-1, HNF-1beta, PTF-1 alpha, HNF-6, or HB9. Cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage include pancreatic endoderm cells.

“Cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage” as used herein refer to cells expressing at least one of the following markers: NGN-3, NeuroD, Islet-1, PDX-1, NKX6.1, Pax-4, or PTF-1 alpha. Cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage include pancreatic endocrine cells, pancreatic hormone expressing cells, and pancreatic hormone secreting cells, and cells of the β-cell lineage.

“Definitive endoderm” as used herein refers to cells which bear the characteristics of cells arising from the epiblast during gastrulation and which form the gastrointestinal tract and its derivatives. Definitive endoderm cells express the following markers: HNF-3 beta, GATA-4, SOX-17, Cerberus, OTX2, goosecoid, C-Kit, CD99, and Mixl1.

“Extraembryonic endoderm” as used herein refers to a population of cells expressing at least one of the following markers: SOX-7, AFP, and SPARC.

“Markers” as used herein, are nucleic acid or polypeptide molecules that are differentially expressed in a cell of interest. In this context, differential expression means an increased level for a positive marker and a decreased level for a negative marker. The detectable level of the marker nucleic acid or polypeptide is sufficiently higher or lower in the cells of interest compared to other cells, such that the cell of interest can be identified and distinguished from other cells using any of a variety of methods known in the art.

“Mesendoderm cell” as used herein refers to a cell expressing at least one of the following markers: CD48, eomesodermin (EOMES), SOX-17, DKK4, HNF-3 beta, GSC, FGF17, GATA-6.

“Pancreatic endocrine cell”, or “pancreatic hormone expressing cell” as used herein refers to a cell capable of expressing at least one of the following hormones: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.

“Pancreatic hormone secreting cell” as used herein refers to a cell capable of secreting at least one of the following hormones: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.

“Pre-primitive streak cell” as used herein refers to a cell expressing at least one of the following markers: Nodal, or FGF8.

“Primitive streak cell” as used herein refers to a cell expressing at least one of the following markers: Brachyury, Mix-like homeobox protein, or FGF4.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the expansion and differentiation of pluripotent cells comprising treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method to expand and differentiate pluripotent cells, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Culturing pluripotent cells, and     -   b. Treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B         enzyme activity.

In one embodiment, the pluripotent cells are differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

Markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage are selected from the group consisting of SOX17, GATA4, Hnf-3beta, GSC, Cerl, Nodal, FGF8, Brachyury, Mix-like homeobox protein, FGF4 CD48, eomesodermin (EOMES), DKK4, FGF17, GATA6, CXCR4, C-Kit, CD99, and OTX2. Contemplated in the present invention is a cell, derived from a pluripotent cell that expresses at least one of the markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage. In one aspect of the present invention, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage is a primitive streak precursor cell. In an alternate aspect, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage is a mesendoderm cell. In an alternate aspect, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage is a definitive endoderm cell.

The pluripotent cells may be treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about one to about 72 hours. Alternatively, the pluripotent cells may be treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about 12 to about 48 hours. Alternatively, the pluripotent cells may be treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about 48 hours.

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 100 nM to about 100 μM. Alternatively, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 1 μM to about 10 μM. Alternatively, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 10 μM.

Compounds Suitable for Use in the Methods of the Present Invention

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (I):

wherein:

R₁ is phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the phenyl substituents are selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl and nitrile, or pyrimidinyl;

R₂ is phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the phenyl substituents are selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl and nitrile, or pyrimidinyl which is optionally C₁₋₄alkyl substituted, and at least one of R₁ and R₂ is pyrimidinyl;

R₃ is hydrogen, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl, C₁₋₅alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₅alkyloxycarbonyl, arylC₁₋₅alkyl, substituted arylC₁₋₅alkyl wherein the one or more aryl substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, C₁₋₅alkoxy, halogen, amino, C₁₋₅alkylamino, and diC₁₋₅alkylamino, phthalimidoC₁₋₅alkyl, aminoC₁₋₅alkyl, diaminoC₁₋₅alkyl, succinimidoC₁₋₅alkyl, C₁₋₅alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, C₁₋₅alkylcarbonylC₁₋₅alkyl and aryloxycarbonylC₁₋₅alkyl;

R₄ is -(A)-(CH₂)_(q)—X;

A is vinylene, ethynylene or

R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₅alkyl, phenyl and phenylC₁₋₅alkyl;

q is 0-9;

X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, vinyl, substituted vinyl wherein one or more vinyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of fluorine, bromine, chlorine and iodine, ethynyl, substituted ethynyl wherein the ethynyl substituents are selected from the group consisting of fluorine, bromine chlorine and iodine, C₁₋₅alkyl, substituted C₁₋₅alkyl wherein the one or more alkyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkoxy, trihaloalkyl, phthalimido and amino, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₁₋₅alkoxy, substituted C₁₋₅alkoxy wherein the alkyl substituents are selected from the group consisting of phthalimido and amino, phthalimidooxy, phenoxy, substituted phenoxy wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen and C₁₋₅alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen and C₁₋₅alkoxy, arylC₁₋₅alkyl, substituted arylC₁₋₅alkyl wherein the one or more aryl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen and C₁₋₅alkoxy, aryloxyC₁₋₅alkylamino, C₁₋₅alkylamino, diC₁₋₅alkylamino, nitrile, oxime, benxyloxyimino, C₁₋₅alkyloxyimino, phthalimido, succinimido, C₁₋₅alkylcarbonyloxy, phenylcarbonyloxy, substituted phenylcarbonyloxy wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen and C₁₋₅alkoxy, phenylC₁₋₅alkylcarbonyloxy wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, halogen and C₁₋₅alkoxy, aminocarbonyloxy, C₁₋₅alkylaminocarbonyloxy, diC₁₋₅alkylaminocarbonyloxy, C₁₋₅alkoxycarbonyloxy, substituted C₁₋₅alkoxycarbonyloxy wherein the one or more alkyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and hexyl, phenoxycarbonyloxy, substituted phenoxycarbonyloxy wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₅alkyl, C₁₋₅alkoxy and halogen, C₁₋₅alkylthio, substituted C₁₋₅alkylthio wherein the alkyl substituents are selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and phthalimido. C₁₋₅alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, substituted phenylsulfonyl wherein the one or more phenyl substituents are each selected from the group consisting of bromine, fluorine, chloride, C₁₋₅alkoxy and trifluoromethyl; with the proviso that if A is

q is 0 and X is H, then R₃ may not be 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein R₁ is substituted phenyl and R₂ is pyrimidin-3-yl.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein R₁ is 4-fluorophenyl.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein R₃ is hydrogen, arylC₁₋₅alkyl, or substituted arylC₁₋₅alkyl.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein R₃ is hydrogen or phenylC₁₋₅alkyl.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein A is ethynylene and q is 0-5.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein X is succinimido, hydroxy, methyl, phenyl, C₁₋₅alkylsulfonyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, C₁₋₅alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁₋₅alkoxy, phenylcarbonyloxy, C₁₋₅alkylamino, diC₁₋₅alkylamino or nitrile.

Compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,830, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Compound Name 1 5(4)-(4-fluorophenyl)-4(5)-(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 2 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 3 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 4 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-iodo-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 5 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxybutyn-1-yl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4- pyridyl)imidazole, 6 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]- imidazole, 7 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]- imidazole, 8 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-iodo-4-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2- (trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-imidazole, 9 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-2-(trimethylsilyl)ethinyl-1-[2- (trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-imidazole, 10 2-(2-chlorovinyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-imidazole, 11 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]- imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde, 12 2-[2,2-dibromoethylene-1-yl]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2- (trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde, 13 5(4)-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyn-1-yl)-4(5)-(4- pyridyl)imidazole, 14 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-1-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-2- oximinoimidazole, 15 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazole oxime, 16 2-(5-chloropentyn-1-yl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4- pyridyl)imidazole, 17 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-N-phenylcarbamoyloxybutyn-1-yl)1-(3- phenylpropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 17 2-(4-chlorobutyn-1-yl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-5-(4- pyridyl)imidazole, and 18 2-(4-dimethylaminobutyn-1-yl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-phenylpropyl)- 5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein the compound is Compound 5 of the formula:

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (II):

Wherein:

R is selected from the group consisting of

R_(a), —C₁₋₈alkyl-R_(a), —C₂₋₈alkenyl-R_(a), —C₂₋₈alkynyl-R_(a) and cyano;

R_(a) is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl;

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈-alkyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-R⁵, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—NH(aryl-R⁸), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -heterocyclyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶; wherein heterocyclyl and heteroaryl are attached to the azaindole nitrogen atom in the one position via a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl ring carbon atom;

R⁵ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-OH, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-SO₂—NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-SO₂—NH(C₁₋₈ alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-SO₂—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —O—C(O)H, —O—C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—C(O)—NH₂, —O—C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —O—C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)H, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-CO₂H, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(NH)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-OH, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH₂, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —SO₂—(C₁₋₈alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —N—R⁷, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy, nitro, oxo, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -heterocyclyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶;

R⁶ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl, —C₂₋₈alkenyl, —C₂₋₈alkynyl, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(NH)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈)alkyl)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-N—R⁷, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-(halo)₁₋₃, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-OH, -aryl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-aryl-R⁸ and —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-heteroaryl-R⁸; with the proviso that, when R⁶ is attached to a carbon atom, R⁶ is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₈alkoxy, —(C₁₋₈)alkoxy-(halo)₁₋₃, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —N—R⁷, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, oxo and -heteroaryl-R⁸;

R⁷ is 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl, —C₂₋₈alkenyl, —C₂₋₈alkynyl, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-OH, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH₂, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₈ alkyl)₂, —C(N)—NH₂, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-aryl-R⁸ and —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-heteroaryl-R⁸;

R⁸ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl, —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-(halo)₁₋₃ and —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-OH; with the proviso that, when R⁸ is attached to a carbon atom, R⁸ is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₈alkoxy, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, cyano, halo, —(C₁₋₈)alkoxy-(halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy and nitro;

R⁹ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkoxy, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy and nitro;

R² is one substituent attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-R⁵, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)—NH(aryl-R⁸), —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and —(C₁₋₈)alkyl-N—R⁷; with the proviso that, when R² is attached to a carbon atom, R² is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₈alkoxy-R⁵, —N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, oxo, -heterocyclyl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶;

R³ is 1 to 3 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₅alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —C(NH)—NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, —N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, -heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸ and -heteroaryl-R⁸;

R⁴ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₈alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₈alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —C(NH)—NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R¹⁰, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₈alkyl-R⁹)₂, —N—R⁸, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, -heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸ and -heteroaryl-R⁸;

R¹⁰ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₈alkyl), —N(C₁₋₈alkyl)₂, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy, nitro and oxo; and,

Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, (H,OH) and (H,H); with the proviso that one of Y and Z is O and the other is selected from the group consisting of O, S, (H,OH) and (H,H); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R is selected from the group consisting of

R_(a), —C₁₋₄alkyl-R_(a), —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R_(a), —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R_(a) and cyano.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R_(a) is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl.

In one embodiment, R_(a) is selected from the group consisting of dihydro-pyranyl, phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, azaindolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, dibenzofuryl and dibenzothienyl.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R⁵, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—NH(aryl-R⁸), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -heterocyclyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶; wherein heterocyclyl and heteroaryl are attached to the azaindole nitrogen atom in the one position via a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl ring carbon atom.

In one embodiment, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵, -aryl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶; wherein heteroaryl is attached to the azaindole nitrogen atom in the one position via a heteroaryl ring carbon atom.

In one embodiment, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵ and -naphthyl-R⁶.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R⁵ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-OH, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-SO₂—NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-SO₂—NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-SO₂—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —O—C(O)H, —O—C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—C(O)—NH₂, —O—C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —O—C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)H, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-CO₂H, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)—NH₂, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(NH)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-OH, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH₂, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —N—R⁷, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy, nitro, oxo, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -heterocyclyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶.

In one embodiment, R⁵ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N—R⁷, hydroxy and -heteroaryl-R⁶.

In one embodiment, R⁵ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N—R⁷, hydroxy, -imidazolyl-R⁶, -triazolyl-R⁶ and -tetrazolyl-R⁶.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R⁶ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl, —C₂₋₄alkenyl, —C₂₋₄alkynyl, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(NH)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N—R⁷, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-(halo)₁₋₃, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-OH, -aryl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl-R⁸ and —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-heteroaryl-R⁸; with the proviso that, when R⁶ is attached to a carbon atom, R⁶ is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₄alkoxy, —(C₁₋₄)alkoxy-(halo)₁₋₃, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N—R⁷, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, oxo and -heteroaryl-R⁸.

In one embodiment, R⁶ is hydrogen.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R¹ is 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl, —C₂₋₄alkenyl, —C₂₋₄alkynyl, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-OH, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH₂, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₂, —C(N)—NH₂, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl-R⁸ and —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-heteroaryl-R⁸.

In one embodiment R⁷ is 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—N H(C₁₋₄alkyl) and —SO₂—N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R⁸ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-(halo)₁₋₃ and —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-OH; with the proviso that, when R⁸ is attached to a carbon atom, R⁸ is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₄alkoxy, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, cyano, halo, —(C₁₋₄)alkoxy-(halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy and nitro.

In one embodiment, R⁸ is hydrogen.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R⁹ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkoxy, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy and nitro.

In one embodiment, R⁹ is hydrogen.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R² is one substituent attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R⁵, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)—NH(aryl-R⁹), —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N—R⁷; with the proviso that, when R² is attached to a carbon atom, R² is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R⁵, —N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, oxo, -heterocyclyl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶.

In one embodiment, R² is one substituent attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R⁵, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R⁵, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, -cycloalkyl-R⁶, -aryl-R⁶ and —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N—R⁷; with the proviso that, when R² is attached to a nitrogen atom, a quaternium salt is not formed; and, with the proviso that, when R² is attached to a carbon atom, R² is further selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R⁵, —N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, oxo, -heterocyclyl-R⁶ and -heteroaryl-R⁶.

In one embodiment, R² is one substituent attached to a carbon or nitrogen atom selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁵ and -aryl-R⁶; with the proviso that, when R² is attached to a nitrogen atom, a quaternium salt is not formed; and, with the proviso that when R² is attached to a carbon atom, R² is further selected from the group consisting of —N—R⁷, halogen, hydroxy and -heteroaryl-R⁶.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R³ is 1 to 3 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —C(NH)—NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, —N—R⁷, —(C₁₋₄)alkyl-N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, -heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸ and -heteroaryl-R⁸.

In one embodiment, R³ is one substituent attached to a carbon atom selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —CO₂H, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, cyano, halogen, hydroxy and nitro.

In one embodiment, R³ is one substituent attached to a carbon atom selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, halogen and hydroxy.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R⁴ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —C(O)—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—NH₂, —C(O)—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹), —C(O)—N(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹)₂, —C(O)-cycloalkyl-R⁸, —C(O)-heterocyclyl-R⁸, —C(O)-aryl-R⁸, —C(O)-heteroaryl-R⁸, —C(NH)—NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —C(O)—O-aryl-R⁸, —SH, —S—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R¹⁰, —SO₂—(C₁₋₄)alkyl-R⁹, —SO₂-aryl-R⁸, —SO₂—NH₂, —SO₂—NH(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹), —SO₂—N(C₁₋₄alkyl-R⁹)₂, —N—R⁷, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, -cycloalkyl-R⁸, -heterocyclyl-R⁸, -aryl-R⁸ and -heteroaryl-R⁸.

In one embodiment, R⁴ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen, —C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkenyl-R¹⁰, —C₂₋₄alkynyl-R¹⁰, —C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —C(O)H, —CO₂H, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, -cycloalkyl, -heterocyclyl, -aryl and -heteroaryl.

In one embodiment, R⁴ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, halogen and hydroxy.

In one embodiment, R⁴ is 1 to 4 substituents attached to a carbon atom independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl-R¹⁰, C₁₋₄alkoxy-R¹⁰, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, chlorine, fluorine and hydroxy.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, R¹⁰ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of

hydrogen. —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —N(C₁₋₄alkyl)₂, cyano, (halo)₁₋₃, hydroxy, nitro and oxo.

In one embodiment, R¹⁰ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (halo)₁₋₃.

In one embodiment, R¹⁰ is 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (fluoro)₃.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II) wherein, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, (H,OH) and (H,H); with the proviso that one of Y and Z is O and the other is selected from the group consisting of O, S, (H,OH) and (H,H).

In one embodiment, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of O and (H,H); with the proviso that one of Y and Z is O, and the other is selected from the group consisting of O and (H,H).

In one embodiment, Y and Z are independently selected from O.

Compounds of Formula (II) are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,878, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (II) wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Compound Name 1 3-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3- yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 2 3-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-[1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 3 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1- naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 4 3-[1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1- naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 5 3-(5-chlorobenzo[b]thien-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 6 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1H-indazol-3- yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 7 3-(1-ethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 8 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(2- methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 9 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(3- methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 10 3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 11 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-[2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 12 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(2-pyridinyl)- 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 13 3-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 14 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(2-thienyl)- 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 15 3-(2,5-dichloro-3-thienyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 16 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 17 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1H-imidazol- 2-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 18 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 19 3-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 20 3-[1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2-naphthalenyl)- 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 21 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 22 3-[(E)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethenyl]-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 23 3-(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 24 4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-[3,3′-bi-1H- pyrrole]-2,5-dione, 25 3-(2-benzofuranyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3- yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 26 3-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1-methyl-1H- pyrazol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 27 2,5-dihydro-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-2,5- dioxo-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile, 28 3-dibenzo[b,d]thien-4-yl-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 29 3-(4-dibenzofuranyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin- 3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 30 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-[1-(3-methoxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin- 3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 31 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[1-(3-methoxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 32 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 33 3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[1-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3- yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 34 [3-[3-[2,5-dihydro-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl]propyl]-carbamic acid 2-methylpropyl ester, 35 3-[1-(3-aminopropyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(2- methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 36 N-[3-[3-[2,5-dihydro-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]- 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl]propyl]-acetamide, 37 N-[3-[3-[2,5-dihydro-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]- 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl]propyl]-sulfamide, 38 3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[1-[3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)propyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 39 3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[1-[3-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)propyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 40 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-pyrazin-2-yl- pyrrole-2,5-dione, 41 3-(2,4-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 42 4-{3-[4-(2,4-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H- pyrrol-3-yl]-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl}-butyronitrile, 43 4-{3-[4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3- yl]-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl}-butyronitrile, and 44 3-(2,4-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-4-(1-phenethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (II) wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is a compound of the Formula (III):

wherein

A and E are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen substituted carbon atom and a nitrogen atom; wherein

is independently selected from the group consisting of 1H-indole, 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine and 1H-indazole;

Z is selected from O; alternatively, Z is selected from dihydro; wherein each hydrogen atom is attached by a single bond;

R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from C₁₋₈alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl and C₂₋₈alkynyl optionally substituted with oxo;

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of —C₁₋₈alkyl-, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-, —O—(Cis)alkyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkenyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkynyl-O—, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)— (wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl linking groups are straight carbon chains optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C₁₋₈alkyl-C(O)O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl and oxo; and, wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl linking groups are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, spirocycloalkyl and spiroheterocyclyl (wherein any of the foregoing cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein any of the foregoing heterocyclyl substituents are optionally substituted with oxo)), cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl (wherein cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with oxo), —(O—(CH₂)₀₋₅—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₀₋₅—NR₆—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₀₋₅—S—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —NR₆—, —NR₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₈—, —NR₄—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₆—, —C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₀₋₆—C(O)—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₀₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(O)—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(NR₇)—NR₈—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇— and —SO₂— (wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein the foregoing heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with oxo)); with the proviso that, if A and E are selected from a hydrogen substituted carbon atom, then R₂ is selected from the group consisting of —C₂₋₈alkynyl-, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkenyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkynyl-O—, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)— (wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl linking groups are straight carbon chains optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C₁₋₈alkyl-C(O)O—(C is)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl and oxo; and, wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl linking groups are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, spirocycloalkyl and spiroheterocyclyl (wherein any of the foregoing cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein any of the foregoing heterocyclyl substituents are optionally substituted with oxo)), cycloalkyl (wherein cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl), —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₁₋₅—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₁₋₅—NR₆—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₀₋₅—S—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —NR₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₈—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₈—, —NR₉—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₉—, —C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₀₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(O)—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(NR₇)—NR₈—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S— and —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇— (wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein the foregoing heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with oxo); and, wherein R₉ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein the foregoing heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with oxo)); and,

R₁ and R₃ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl, C₂₋₈alkynyl (wherein alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl are optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkoxy, alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl and oxo), C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxycarbonyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkylthio, aryl, heteroaryl (wherein aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl (wherein amino is substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy and hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl), amino (substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and nitro; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In one embodiment, a compound of Formula (III) is a compound selected from the group consisting of:

wherein all other variables are as previously defined; and, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In one embodiment, a compound of Formula (III) is a compound selected from the group consisting of:

wherein all other variables are as previously defined; and, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Compounds of Formula (III) are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,327, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (III) wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Compound Name 1 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H- dipyrido[2,3-k:3′,2′-q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]trioxadiazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 2 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23-decahydro-9,4:24,29-dimetheno-1H- dipyrido[2,3-n:3′,2′-t]pyrrolo[3,4- q][1,4,7,10,13,22]tetraoxadiazacyclotetracosine-1,3(2H)-dione, 3 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23,25,26-dodecahydro-9,4:27,32-dimetheno- 1H-dipyrido[2,3-q:3′,2′-w]pyrrolo[3,4- t][1,4,7,10,13,16,25]pentaoxadiazacycloheptacosine-1,3(2H)-dione, 4 6,7,9,10,12,13-hexahydro-20H-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-5H- dibenzo[h,n]pyrrolo[3,4-k][1,4,7,16]dioxadiazacyclooctadecine- 20,22(21H)-dione, 5 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H- dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]trioxadiazacycloheneicosine- 23,25(24H)-dione, 6 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23-decahydro-9,4:24,29-dimetheno-1H- dibenzo[n,t]pyrrolo[3,4-q][1,4,7,10,13,22]tetraoxadiazacyclotetracosine- 1,3(2H)-dione, 7 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23,25,26-dodecahydro-9,4:27,32-dimetheno- 1H-dibenzo[q,w]pyrrolo[3,4- t][1,4,7,10,13,16,25]pentaoxadiazacycloheptacosine-1,3(2H)-dione, 8 12-hydro-6H,19H-5,22:13,18:7,11-trimethenopyrido[2,3-j]pyrrolo[3,4- m][1,9]benzodiazacycloheptadecine-19,21(20H)-dione, 9 12-hydro-6H,19H-5,22:13,18-dimetheno-7,11-nitrilopyrido[2,3- j]pyrrolo[3,4-m][1,9]benzodiazacycloheptadecine-19,21(20H)-dione, 10 6,7,9,10,12,13-hexahydro-20H-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-5H-pyrido[2,3- k]pyrrolo[3,4-n][4,7,1,10]benzodioxadiazacyclooctadecine-20,22(21H)- dione, 11 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H-pyrido[2,3- n]pyrrolo[3,4-q][4,7,10,1,13]benzotrioxadiazacycloheneicosine- 23,25(24H)-dione, 12 11-ethyl-6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno- 5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine- 23,25(24H)-dione, 13 6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-11-methyl-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno- 5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine- 23,25(24H)-dione, 14 6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-11-(1-methylethyl)-23H-5,26:17,22- dimetheno-5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 15 7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16-decahydro-8,11,14-trimethyl-6H,23H- 5,26:17,22-dimethenodibenzo[n,t]pyrrolo[3,4- q][1,4,7,10,13]pentaazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 16 6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-11-methyl-23H-5,26-metheno-17,22- nitrilo-5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 17 11-ethyl-6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26-metheno-17,22-nitrilo- 5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine- 23,25(24H)-dione, 18 11-ethyl-6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno- 5H,9H-dipyrido[2,3-k:3′,2′-q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 19 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H- dipyrido[2,3-k:3′,2′-q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxathiadiazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 20 7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16-decahydro-(6H,23H-5,26:17,22- dimethenodipyrido[2,3-n:3′,2′-t]pyrrolo[3,4- q][1,7,13]triazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 21 11-ethyl-7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16-decahydro-6H,23H-5,26:17,22- dimethenodipyrido[2,3-n:3′,2′-t]pyrrolo[3,4- q][1,7,13]triazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 22 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15-decahydro-22H-5,25:16,21-dimetheno-5H- dipyrido[2,3-m:3′,2′-s]pyrrolo[3,4-p][1,6,12]triazacycloeicosine- 22,24(23H)-dione, 23 10-ethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15-decahydro-22H-5,25:16,21-dimetheno- 5H-dipyrido[2,3-m:3′,2′-s]pyrrolo[3,4-p][1,6,12]triazacycloeicosine- 22,24(23H)-dione, 24 7,8,9,15,16,17,18-heptahydro-6H,25H-5,28:19,24-dimetheno-10,14- nitrilodipyrido[2,3-b:3′,2′-h]pyrrolo[3,4-e][1,10]diazacyclotricosine- 25,27(26H)-dione, 25 7,8,9,10,11,13,14,15,16-nonahydro-6H,23H-5,26:17,22- dimethenodipyrido[2,3-b:3′,2′-h]pyrrolo[3,4- e][1,10]diazacycloheneicosine-12,23,25(24H)-trione, 26 7,8,9,11,12,13,14-heptahydro-6H,21H-5,24:15,20-dimethenodipyrido[2,3- b:3′,2′-h]pyrrolo[3,4-e][1,10]diazacyclononadecine-10,21,23(22H)-trione, 27 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15-decahydro-7,14-dihydroxy-(7R,14R)-22H- 5,25:16,21-dimetheno-5H-dipyrido[2,3-b:3′,2′-h]pyrrolo[3,4- e][1,10]diazacycloeicosine-22,24(23H)-dione, 28 6,7,9,10,12,13-hexahydro-20H-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-5H-dipyrido[2,3- h:3′,2′-n]pyrrolo[3,4-k][1,4,7,16]dioxadiazacyclooctadecine-20,22(21H)- dione, 29 6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-11-(2-methoxyethyl)-23H-5,26-metheno- 17,22-nitrilo-5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 30 6,7,10,11,12,13,15,16-octahydro-11-(2-hydroxyethyl)-23H-5,26:17,22- dimetheno-5H,9H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,7,4,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, and 31 6,7,9,10,12,13,14,15,16,17-decahydro-14-methyl-24H-5,27:18,23- dimetheno-5H-dibenzo[l,r]pyrrolo[3,4- o][1,4,7,11,20]dioxatriazacyclodocosine-24,26(25H)-dione.

An example of the invention includes a compound of Formula (III) wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Other examples of the invention include a compound selected from the group consisting of:

Compound Name  1a (12E,32E)-9-ethyl-22,25-dihydro-11H,21H,31H-6,12-dioxa-9-aza- 1,3(3,1)-diindola-2(3,4)-pyrrolacyclotetradecaphane-22,25-dione  2a 3-[1-[3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamino]propyl]-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(3- pyridinyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,  3a 3,5-dichloro-N-[3-chloro-4-[(3,4,12,12a-tetrahydro-1H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4- c][1,4]benzodiazepin-11(6H)-yl)carbonyl]phenyl]-benzamide,  4a 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)- pyrrole-2,5-dione,  5a 3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,  6a 6-[[2-[[4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2- pyrimidinyl]amino]ethyl]amino]-3-pyridinecarbonitrile,  7a 3-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-1H- indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione,  8a 3-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-[1,2,3]triazol-1-yl-propyl)- 1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione,  9a 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1-methyl-1H- pyrazol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 10a To be provided 11a 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H- indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 12a 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyrimidin-5-yl-1H-indol-3- yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 13a 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyrimidin-5-yl-1H-indol-3- yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 14a (11Z)-8,9,10,13,14,15-hexahydro-2,6:17,21-di(metheno)pyrrolo[3,4- h][1,15,7]dioxazacyclotricosine-22,24(1H,23H)-dione, 15a 3-(5-chloro-1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H- indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 16a 3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-[1-(3-methoxy-propyl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin- 3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 17a 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)- 1H-indol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 18a 2-{3-[4-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H- pyrrol-3-yl]-indazol-1-yl}-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-acetamide, 19a 4-(3-chloro-phenyl)-6-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-2,4,6- triaza-cyclopenta[c]fluorine-1,3-dione, 20a 14-ethyl-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22- dimethenodibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 21a 14-benzyl-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22- di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 22a 3-(1-{2-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 23a 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13-octahydro-8,11-dimethyl-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-20H- dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10]tetraazacyclooctadecine-20,22(21H)- dione, 24a 7,8,9,10,12,13,16,17,18,19-decahydro-8,17-dimethyl-15H,26H- 5,29:20,25-dimetheno-6H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19,22]dioxatetraazacyclotetracosine-26,28(27H)-dione, 25a 14-(2-furylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22- di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 26a 14-(2-thienylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H- 5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 27a 14-(1-naphthylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H- 5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 28a 14-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H- 5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4- n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione, 29a 3-[1-(2-{2-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylamino)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}- ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-{1-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylamino)- ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 30a 3-[1-(3-dimethylamino-phenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)- 1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 31a 3-[5-chloro-1-(6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, and 32a 5-(5-chloro-3-{4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-2,5-dioxo-2,5- dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl}-indol-1-yl)-nicotinic acid methyl ester.

Other examples of the invention include a compound selected from the group consisting of:

Cells Suitable for Treatment According to the Methods of the Present Invention

Pluripotent cells, suitable for use in the present invention express at least one of the following pluripotency markers selected from the group consisting of: ABCG2, cripto, FoxD3, Connexin43, Connexin45, Oct4, SOX-2, Nanog, hTERT, UTF-1, ZFP42, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra1-60, and Tra1-81.

In one embodiment, the pluripotent cells are embryonic stem cells. In an alternate embodiment, the pluripotent cells are cells expressing pluripotency markers derived from embryonic stem cells. In one embodiment, the embryonic stem cells are human.

Isolation, Expansion and Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Characterization of Human Embryonic Stem Cells:

Human embryonic stem cells may express one or more of the stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEA) 3 and 4, and markers detectable using antibodies designated Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81 (Thomson et al., Science 282:1145, 1998). Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in vitro results in the loss of SSEA-4, Tra-1-60, and Tra-1-81 expression (if present) and increased expression of SSEA-1. Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells typically have alkaline phosphatase activity, which can be detected by fixing the cells with 4% paraformaldehyde, and then developing with Vector Red as a substrate, as described by the manufacturer (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame Calif.) Undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells also typically express Oct-4 and TERT, as detected by RT-PCR.

Another desirable phenotype of propagated human embryonic stem cells is a potential to differentiate into cells of all three germinal layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm tissues. Pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells can be confirmed, for example, by injecting cells into SCID mice, fixing the teratomas that form using 4% paraformaldehyde, and then examining them histologically for evidence of cell types from the three germ layers. Alternatively, pluripotency may be determined by the creation of embryoid bodies and assessing the embryoid bodies for the presence of markers associated with the three germinal layers.

Propagated human embryonic stem cell lines may be karyotyped using a standard G-banding technique and compared to published karyotypes of the corresponding primate species. It is desirable to obtain cells that have a “normal karyotype”, which means that the cells are euploid, wherein all human chromosomes are present and not noticeably altered.

Sources of Human Embryonic Stem Cells:

Types of human embryonic stem cells that may be used include established lines of human embryonic cells derived from tissue formed after gestation, including pre-embryonic tissue (such as, for example, a blastocyst), embryonic tissue, or fetal tissue taken any time during gestation, typically but not necessarily before approximately 10-12 weeks gestation. Non-limiting examples are established lines of human embryonic stem cells or human embryonic germ cells, such as, for example the human embryonic stem cell lines H1, H7, and H9 (WiCell). Also contemplated is use of the compositions of this disclosure during the initial establishment or stabilization of such cells, in which case the source cells would be primary pluripotent cells taken directly from the source tissues. Also suitable are cells taken from a pluripotent stem cell population already cultured in the absence of feeder cells. Also suitable are mutant human embryonic stem cell lines, such as, for example, BG01v (BresaGen, Athens, Ga.).

In one embodiment, Human embryonic stem cells are prepared as described by Thomson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,780; Science 282:1145, 1998; Curr. Top. Dev. Biol. 38:133 ff., 1998; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:7844, 1995).

Culture of Trman Embryonic Stem Cells:

In one embodiment, human embryonic stem cells are cultured in a culture system that is essentially free of feeder cells, but nonetheless supports proliferation of human embryonic stem cells without undergoing substantial differentiation. The growth of human embryonic stem cells in feeder-free culture without differentiation is supported using a medium conditioned by culturing previously with another cell type. Alternatively, the growth of human embryonic stem cells in feeder-free culture without differentiation is supported using a chemically defined medium.

In an alternate embodiment, human embryonic stem cells are initially cultured layer of feeder cells that support the human embryonic stem cells in various ways. The human embryonic are then transferred to a culture system that is essentially free of feeder cells, but nonetheless supports proliferation of human embryonic stem cells without undergoing substantial differentiation.

Examples of conditioned media suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed in US20020072117, U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,048, WO2005014799, and Xu et al. (Stem Cells 22: 972-980, 2004).

An example of a chemically defined medium suitable for use in the present invention may be found in US20070010011.

Suitable culture media may be made from the following components, such as, for example, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), Gibco #11965-092; Knockout Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (KO DMEM), Gibco #10829-018; Ham's F12/50% DMEM basal medium; 200 mM L-glutamine, Gibco #15039-027; non-essential amino acid solution, Gibco 11140-050; β-mercaptoethanol, Sigma # M7522; human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Gibco #13256-029.

In one embodiment, the human embryonic stem cells are plated onto a suitable culture substrate that is treated prior to treatment according to the methods of the present invention. In one embodiment, the treatment is an extracellular matrix component, such as, for example, those derived from basement membrane or that may form part of adhesion molecule receptor-ligand couplings. In one embodiment, a the suitable culture substrate is Matrigel® (Becton Dickenson). Matrigel® is a soluble preparation from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor cells that gels at room temperature to form a reconstituted basement membrane.

Other extracellular matrix components and component mixtures are suitable as an alternative. This may include laminin, fibronectin, proteoglycan, entactin, heparan sulfate, and the like, alone or in various combinations.

The human embryonic stem cells are plated onto the substrate in a suitable distribution and in the presence of a medium that promotes cell survival, propagation, and retention of the desirable characteristics. All these characteristics benefit from careful attention to the seeding distribution and can readily be determined by one of skill in the art.

Isolation, Expansion and Culture of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers that are Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

In one embodiment, cells expressing pluripotency markers are derived from human embryonic stem cells by a method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Culturing human embryonic stem cells,     -   b. Differentiating the human embryonic stem cells into cells         expressing markers characteristic of definitive endoderm cells,         and     -   c. Removing the cells, and subsequently culturing them under         hypoxic conditions, on a tissue culture substrate that is not         pre-treated with a protein or an extracellular matrix prior to         culturing the cells.

In one embodiment, cells expressing pluripotency markers are derived from human embryonic stem cells by a method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Culturing human embryonic stem cells, and     -   b. Removing the cells, and subsequently culturing them under         hypoxic conditions, on a tissue culture substrate that is not         pre-treated with a protein or an extracellular matrix.

Cell Culture Under Hypoxic Conditions on a Tissue Culture Substrate that is not Pre-Treated with a Protein or an Extracellular Matrix

In one embodiment, the cells are cultured under hypoxic conditions, on a tissue culture substrate that is not coated with an extracellular matrix for about 1 to about 20 days. In an alternate embodiment, the cells are cultured under hypoxic conditions, on a tissue culture substrate that is not coated with an extracellular matrix for about 5 to about 20 days. In an alternate embodiment, the cells are cultured under hypoxic conditions, on a tissue culture substrate that is not coated with an extracellular matrix for about 15 days.

In one embodiment, the hypoxic condition is about 1% O₂ to about 20% O₂. In an alternate embodiment, the hypoxic condition is about 2% O₂ to about 10% O₂. In an alternate embodiment, the hypoxic condition is about 3% O₂.

The cells may be cultured, under hypoxic conditions on a tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with a protein or an extracellular matrix, in medium containing serum, activin A, and a Wnt ligand. Alternatively, the medium may also contain IGF-1.

The culture medium may have a serum concentration in the range of about 2% to about 5%. In an alternate embodiment, the serum concentration may be about 2%.

Activin A may be used at a concentration from about 1 pg/ml to about 100 μg/ml. In an alternate embodiment, the concentration may be about 1 pg/ml to about 1 μg/ml. In another alternate embodiment, the concentration may be about 1 pg/ml to about 100 ng/ml. In another alternate embodiment, the concentration may be about 50 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml. In another alternate embodiment, the concentration may be about 100 ng/ml.

The Wnt ligand may be selected from the group consisting of Wnt-1, Wnt-3a, Wnt-5a and Wnt-7a. In one embodiment, the Wnt ligand is Wnt-1. In an alternate embodiment, the Wnt ligand is Wnt-3a.

The Wnt ligand may be used at a concentration of about 1 ng/ml to about 1000 ng/ml. In an alternate embodiment, the Wnt ligand may be used at a concentration of about 10 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml. In one embodiment, the concentration of the Wnt ligand is about 20 ng/ml.

IGF-1 may be used at a concentration of about 1 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml. In an alternate embodiment, the IGF-1 may be used at a concentration of about 10 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml. In one embodiment, the concentration of IGF-1 is about 50 ng/ml.

The cells expressing pluripotency markers derived by the methods of the present invention are capable of expansion in culture under hypoxic conditions, on tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with a protein or an extracellular matrix.

The cells expressing pluripotency markers derived by the methods of the present invention express at least one of the following pluripotency markers selected from the group consisting of: ABCG2, cripto, FoxD3, Connexin43, Connexin45, Oct4, SOX-2, Nanog, hTERT, UTF-1, ZFP42, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra1-60, and Tra1-81.

Further Differentiation of Cells Expressing Markers Characteristic of the Definitive Endoderm Lineage

Cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage may be differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage by any method in the art.

For example, cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage may be differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage according to the methods disclosed in D'Amour et al., Nature Biotechnology 24, 1392-1401 (2006).

For example, cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage are further differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage, by treating the cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage with a fibroblast growth factor and KAAD-cyclopamine, then removing the medium containing the fibroblast growth factor and KAAD-cyclopamine and subsequently culturing the cells in medium containing retinoic acid, a fibroblast growth factor and KAAD-cyclopamine. An example of this method is disclosed in D'Amour et al., Nature Biotechnology, 24: 1392-1401, (2006).

Markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage are selected from the group consisting of Pdx1, HNF-1beta, PTF1a, HNF-6, HB9 and PROX1. Suitable for use in the present invention is a cell that expresses at least one of the markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage. In one aspect of the present invention, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage is a pancreatic endoderm cell.

Further Differentiation of Cells Expressing Markers Characteristic of the Pancreatic Endoderm Lineage

Cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage may be differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage by any method in the art.

For example, cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage may be differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage according to the methods disclosed in D'Amour et al., Nature Biotechnology 24, 1392-1401 (2006).

Markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage are selected from the group consisting of NGN-3, NeuroD, Islet-1, Pdx-1, NKX6.1, Pax-4, and PTF-1 alpha. In one embodiment, a pancreatic endocrine cell is capable of expressing at least one of the following hormones: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. Suitable for use in the present invention is a cell that expresses at least one of the markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. In one aspect of the present invention, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage is a pancreatic endocrine cell. The pancreatic endocrine cell may be a pancreatic hormone expressing cell. Alternatively, the pancreatic endocrine cell may be a pancreatic hormone secreting cell.

In one aspect of the present invention, the pancreatic endocrine cell is a cell expressing markers characteristic of the β cell lineage. A cell expressing markers characteristic of the β cell lineage expresses Pdx1 and at least one of the following transcription factors: NGN-3, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, NeuroD, Isl-1, HNF-3 beta, MAFA, Pax4, and Pax6. In one aspect of the present invention, a cell expressing markers characteristic of the β cell lineage is a β cell.

Detection of Cells Expressing Markers Characteristic of the Definitive Endoderm Linage

Formation of cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage may be determined by testing for the presence of the markers before and after following a particular protocol. Pluripotent stem cells typically do not express such markers. Thus, differentiation of pluripotent cells is detected when cells begin to express them.

The efficiency of differentiation may be determined by exposing a treated cell population to an agent (such as an antibody) that specifically recognizes a protein marker expressed by cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

Methods for assessing expression of protein and nucleic acid markers in cultured or isolated cells are standard in the art. These include quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Northern blots, in situ hybridization (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 2001 supplement)), and immunoassays such as immunohistochemical analysis of sectioned material, Western blotting, and for markers that are accessible in intact cells, flow cytometry analysis (FACS) (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1998)).

Examples of antibodies useful for detecting certain protein markers are listed in Table IA. It should be noted that alternate antibodies directed to the same markers that are recognized by the antibodies listed in Table IA are available, or can be readily developed. Such alternate antibodies can also be employed for assessing expression of markers in the cells isolated in accordance with the present invention.

For example, characteristics of pluripotent stem cells are well known to those skilled in the art, and additional characteristics of pluripotent stem cells continue to be identified. Pluripotent stem cell markers include, for example, the expression of one or more of the following: ABCG2, cripto, FoxD3, Connexin43, Connexin45, Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, hTERT, UTF-1, ZFP42, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra1-60, Tra1-81.

After treating pluripotent stem cells with the methods of the present invention, the differentiated cells may be purified by exposing a treated cell population to an agent (such as an antibody) that specifically recognizes a protein marker, such as CXCR4, expressed by cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

Detection of Cells Expressing Markers Characteristic of the Pancreatic Endoderm Linage

Markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage are well known to those skilled in the art, and additional markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage continue to be identified. These markers can be used to confirm that the cells treated in accordance with the present invention have differentiated to acquire the properties characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage. Pancreatic endoderm lineage specific markers include the expression of one or more transcription factors such as, for example, Hlxb9, PTF-1a, PDX-1, HNF-6, HNF-1beta.

The efficiency of differentiation may be determined by exposing a treated cell population to an agent (such as an antibody) that specifically recognizes a protein marker expressed by cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endoderm lineage.

Methods for assessing expression of protein and nucleic acid markers in cultured or isolated cells are standard in the art. These include quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Northern blots, in situ hybridization (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 2001 supplement)), and immunoassays such as immunohistochemical analysis of sectioned material, Western blotting, and for markers that are accessible in intact cells, flow cytometry analysis (FACS) (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1998)).

Examples of antibodies useful for detecting certain protein markers are listed in Table IA. It should be noted that alternate antibodies directed to the same markers that are recognized by the antibodies listed in Table IA are available, or can be readily developed. Such alternate antibodies can also be employed for assessing expression of markers in the cells isolated in accordance with the present invention.

Detection of Cells Expressing Markers Characteristic of the Pancreatic Endocrine Linage

Markers characteristic of cells of the pancreatic endocrine lineage are well known to those skilled in the art, and additional markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage continue to be identified. These markers can be used to confirm that the cells treated in accordance with the present invention have differentiated to acquire the properties characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. Pancreatic endocrine lineage specific markers include the expression of one or more transcription factors such as, for example, NGN-3, NeuroD, Islet-1.

Markers characteristic of cells of the β cell lineage are well known to those skilled in the art, and additional markers characteristic of the β cell lineage continue to be identified. These markers can be used to confirm that the cells treated in accordance with the present invention have differentiated to acquire the properties characteristic of the β-cell lineage. β cell lineage specific characteristics include the expression of one or more transcription factors such as, for example, Pdx1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene-1), Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, Isl 1, Pax6, Pax4, NeuroD, Hnf1b, Hnf-6, Hnf-3beta, and MafA, among others. These transcription factors are well established in the art for identification of endocrine cells. See, e.g., Edlund (Nature Reviews Genetics 3: 524-632 (2002)).

The efficiency of differentiation may be determined by exposing a treated cell population to an agent (such as an antibody) that specifically recognizes a protein marker expressed by cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. Alternatively, the efficiency of differentiation may be determined by exposing a treated cell population to an agent (such as an antibody) that specifically recognizes a protein marker expressed by cells expressing markers characteristic of the β cell lineage.

Methods for assessing expression of protein and nucleic acid markers in cultured or isolated cells are standard in the art. These include quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Northern blots, in situ hybridization (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 2001 supplement)), and immunoassays such as immunohistochemical analysis of sectioned material, Western blotting, and for markers that are accessible in intact cells, flow cytometry analysis (FACS) (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1998)).

Examples of antibodies useful for detecting certain protein markers are listed in Table IA. It should be noted that alternate antibodies directed to the same markers that are recognized by the antibodies listed in Table IA are available, or can be readily developed. Such alternate antibodies can also be employed for assessing expression of markers in the cells isolated in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

Example 1 Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells defined by their ability at the single cell level to both self-renew and differentiate to produce progeny cells, including self-renewing progenitors, non-renewing progenitors, and terminally differentiated cells. Stem cells are also characterized by their ability to differentiate in vitro into functional cells of various cell lineages from multiple germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm), as well as to give rise to tissues of multiple germ layers following transplantation and to contribute substantially to most, if not all, tissues following injection into blastocysts.

The human embryonic stem cell lines H1, H7 and H9 were obtained from WiCell Research Institute, Inc., (Madison, Wis.) and cultured according to instructions provided by the source institute. Briefly, cells were cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells in ES cell medium consisting of DMEM/F12 (Invitrogen/GIBCO) supplemented with 20% knockout serum replacement, 100 nM MEM nonessential amino acids, 0.5 mM beta-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM L-glutamine with 4 ng/ml human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (all from Invitrogen/GIBCO). MEF cells, derived from E13 to 13.5 mouse embryos, were purchased from Charles River. MEF cells were expanded in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS (Hyclone), 2 mM glutamine, and 100 mM MEM nonessential amino acids. Sub-confluent MEF cell cultures were treated with 10 μg/ml mitomycin C (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) for 3 h to arrest cell division, then trypsinized and plated at 2×10⁴/cm² on 0.1% bovine gelatin-coated dishes. MEF cells from passage two through four were used as feeder layers. Human embryonic stem cells plated on MEF cell feeder layers were cultured at 37° C. in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂/within a humidified tissue culture incubator. When confluent (approximately 5-7 days after plating), human embryonic stem cells were treated with 1 mg/ml collagenase type IV (Invitrogen/GIBCO) for 5-10 min and then gently scraped off the surface using a 5-ml pipette. Cells were spun at 900 rpm for 5 min, and the pellet was resuspended and re-plated at a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio of cells in fresh culture medium.

In parallel, H1, H7, and H9 human embryonic stem cells were also seeded on plates coated with a 1:30 dilution of growth factor reduced MATRIGEL™ (BD Biosciences) and cultured in MEF-conditioned media supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF. The cells cultured on MATRIGEL™ were routinely passaged with collagenase IV (Invitrogen/GIBCO), Dispase (BD Biosciences) or Liberase enzyme (Source). Some of the human embryonic stem cell cultures were incubated under hypoxic conditions (approximately 3% O₂).

Example 2 Derivation and Culture of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers, Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Cells from the human embryonic stem cell lines H1 and H9 various passages (Passage 30-54) were cultured under hypoxic conditions (approximately 3% O₂) for at least three passages. The cells were cultured in MEF-CM supplemented with 8 ng/ml of bFGF and plated on MATRIGEL coated plates according to Example 1.

Cells were then treated with DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 0.5% FBS, 20 ng/ml WNT-3a (Catalog#1324-WN-002, R&D Systems, MN), and 100 ng/ml Activin-A (R&D Systems, MN) for two days followed by treatment with DMEM/F12 media supplemented with 2% FBS and 100 ng/ml Activin-A (AA) for an additional 3 to 4 days. This protocol resulted in significant upregulation of definitive endoderm markers.

The cells were then treated with TrypLE™ Express solution (Invitrogen, CA) for 5 mins. Released cells were resuspended in DMEM-F12+2% FBS medium, recovered by centrifugation, and counted using a hemocytometer. The released cells were seeded at 1000-10,000 cells/cm² on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) treated flasks and cultured in DMEM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml activin-A+20 ng/ml WNT-3A under hypoxic conditions (approximately 3% O₂) at 37° C. in standard tissue culture incubator. The TCPS flasks were not coated with MATRIGEL or other extarcellular matrix proteins. The media was changed daily. In some cultures, the media was further supplemented with 10-50 ng/ml of IGF-I (insulin growth factor-I from R&D Systems, MN) or IX ITS (Insulin, transferrin, and selenium from Invitrogen, Ca). In some of the culture conditions the basal media (DM-F12+2% FBS) was further supplemented with 0.1 mM mercaptoethanol (Invitrogen, CA) and non-essential amino acids (1×, NEAA from Invitrogen, CA).

Following 5 to 15 days of culturing, distinct cell colonies appeared surrounded by a large number of enlarged cells that appear to be in senescence. At approximately 50 to 60% confluency, the cultures were passaged by exposure to TrypLE™ Express solution for 5 mins at room temperature. The released cells were resuspended in DMEM-F12+2% FBS medium, recovered by centrifugation, and seeded at 10,000 cells/cm² on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) treated flasks in DMEM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml activin-A+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+/−50 ng/ml of IGF-I. This media will be further referred to as the “growth media”.

Example 3 Derivation of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers from a Single Cell Suspension of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Cells from the human embryonic stem cell lines H1 P33 and H9 P45 were cultured under hypoxic conditions (approximately 3% O₂) for at least three passages. The cells were cultured in MEF-CM supplemented with 8 ng/ml of bFGF and plated on MATRIGEL coated plates according to Example 1. At approximately 60% confluency, the cultures were exposed to TrypLE™ Express solution (Invitrogen, CA) for 5 mins. Released cells were resuspended in DMEM-F12+2% FBS medium, recovered by centrifugation, and counted using a hemocytometer. The released cells were seeded at 1000 to 10,000 cells/cm² on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) treated flasks and cultured in DM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml activin-A+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+50 ng/ml of IGF-I+0.1 mM mercaptoethanol (Invitrogen, CA) and non-essential amino acids (1×, NEAA from Invitrogen, CA) under hypoxic conditions (approximately 3% O₂) at 37° C. in standard tissue culture incubator. The TCPS flasks were not coated with MATRIGEL or other extarcellular matrix proteins. The media was changed daily. The first passage cells are referred to as Pi.

Example 4 Various Growth Media Useful for Expansion of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Cells expressing pluripotency markers derived from human embryonic stem cells have been successfully cultured in the following media compositions for at least 2-30 passages:

1. DM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml AA+20 ng/ml WNT-3A

2. DM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml AA+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+50 ng/ml IGF-I

3. DM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml AA+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+10 ng/ml IGF-I

4. DM-F12+2% FBS+50 ng/ml AA+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+50 ng/ml IGF-I

5. DM-F12+2% FBS+50 ng/ml AA+10 ng/ml WNT-3A+50 ng/ml IGF-I

6. DM-F12+2% FBS+50 ng/ml AA+20 ng/ml WNT-3A+10 ng/ml IGF-I

7. DM-F12+2% FBS+100 ng/ml AA+10 ng/ml WNT-3A+10 ng/ml IGF-I

8. HEScGRO defined media (Chemicon, CA)

The basal component of the above listed media may be replaced with similar media such as, RPMI, DMEM, CRML, Knockout™-DMEM, and F12.

Example 4 Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3β Enzyme Activity on the Viability of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers

Derivation and maintenance of cells expressing pluripotency makers was conducted as has been described in Example 2. Cells were grown in DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS (Invitrogen), 100 ng/ml Activin A, 20 ng/ml Wnt-3a, and 50 ng/ml IGF (R&D Biosystems). Cells were seeded at a density of 10,000 cells/cm² on Falcon polystyrene flasks and grown in monolayer culture at 37° C., 5% CO₂, low oxygen. After reaching 60-70% confluence, cells were passed by washing the monolayer with PBS and incubating with TrypLE (Invitrogen) for 3-5 minutes to allow detachment and single cell dispersal.

Screening was conducted using test compounds from a proprietary library of small molecules selected for their ability to inhibit GSK-3B enzyme activity. Compounds from this library were made available as 1 mM stocks, in a 96-well plate format in 50 mM HEPES, 30% DMSO. For assay, cells expressing pluripotency markers were washed, counted, and plated in normal culture medium at a seeding density of 20,000 cells per well in 96-well clear-bottom, dark-well plates (Costar). This seeding density was previously determined to yield optimal monolayer formation in overnight culture. On the following day, culture medium was removed, cell monolayers were rinsed three times with PBS, and test compounds were added to the wells in 80 μl aliquots, each diluted into assay medium at a final assay concentration of 10 μM. On day 2 of the assay, medium was removed from each well and replaced with a fresh aliquot of test compounds diluted into assay medium. Assay medium on days 1 and 2 of culture consisted of DMEM:F12 supplemented with 0.5% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A. On days 3 and 4 of culture, medium was removed from each well and replaced with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A (no test compound). On day 4 of assay, 15 μl of MTS (Promega) was added to each well and plates were incubated at 37° C. for 1.5 to 4 hours prior to reading optical density at 490 nm on a SpectraMax (Molecular Devices) instrument. Statistical measures consisting of mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were calculated for each duplicate set. Toxicity was calculated for each test well relative to a positive control (wells treated with Activin A and Wnt3a on days 1 and 2 of culture).

Table II is a compilation of all screening results. Cells expressing pluripotency markers were plated initially as a confluent monolayer in this assay; hence, the results are representative of a toxicity measure over the four-day culture period. Results are expressed as percentage viability of control, and demonstrate variable toxicity for some compounds at the 10 μM screening concentration used. A larger proportion of the compounds have minimal or no measurable toxicity in this cell-based assay.

A small panel of select compounds was repeat tested over a narrow dose titration range, again using cells expressing pluripotency markers in a similar assay as described above. Table III is a summary of these results, demonstrating variable dose titration effects for a range of toxic and non-toxic compounds.

Example 5 Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3β Enzyme Activity on the Differentiation and Proliferation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Determined Using a High Content Screening Assay

Maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (H9 line) was conducted as described in Example 1. Colonies of cells were maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state with passage on average every four days. Passage was performed by exposing cell cultures to a solution of collagenase (1 mg/ml; Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 to 30 minutes at 37° C. followed by gentle scraping with a pipette tip to recover cell clusters. Clusters were allowed to sediment by gravity, followed by washing to remove residual collagenase. Cell clusters were split at a 1:3 ratio for routine maintenance culture, or a 1:1 ratio for immediate assay. The human embryonic stem cell lines used were maintained at passage numbers less than passage 50 and routinely evaluated for normal karyotypic phenotype and absence of mycoplasma contamination.

Cell clusters used in the assay were evenly resuspended in normal culture medium and plated onto MATRIGEL-coated 96-well Packard VIEWPLATES (PerkinElmer) in volumes of 100 μl/well. MEF conditioned medium supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF was used for initial plating and recovery. Daily feeding was conducted by aspirating spent culture medium from each well and replacing with an equal volume of fresh medium. Plates were maintained at 37° C., 5% CO₂ in a humidified box throughout the duration of assay.

Screening was conducted using test compounds from a proprietary library of small molecules selected for their ability to inhibit GSK-3B enzyme activity. Compounds from this library were made available as 1 mM stocks, in a 96-well plate format in 50 mM HEPES, 30% DMSO. Screening compounds were tested in triplicate or duplicate sets. Primary screening assays were initiated by aspirating culture medium from each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. Test volumes of 80 to 100 μl per well were added back containing DMEM:F12 base medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 0.5% FCS (HyClone) and 100 ng/ml activin A (R&D Biosystems) plus 10 μM test compound. Positive control wells contained the same base medium, substituting 10-20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) for the test compound. Negative control wells contained base medium with 0.5% FCS and activin A alone (AA only) or alternatively, 0.5% FCS without activin A or Wnt3a (no treatment). Wells were aspirated and fed again with identical solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3 and 4, all assay wells were aspirated and converted to DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml activin A (without test compound or Wnt3a); parallel negative control wells were maintained in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS and activin A (AA only) or alternatively, 2% FCS without activin A (no treatment).

At the end of culture, cells in 96-well plates were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 20 minutes, washed three times with PBS, and then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature. Alternatively, cells were fixed with ice cold 70% ethanol overnight at −20° C., washed three times with PBS, and then permeabilized with Triton X-100 for 5 minutes at 4° C. After fixing and permeabilizing, cells were washed again three times with PBS and then blocked with 4% chicken serum (Invitrogen) in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Primary antibodies (goat anti-human Sox17 and goat anti-human HNF-3beta; R&D Systems) were diluted 1:100 in 4% chicken serum and added to cells for one hour at room temperature. Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody (chicken anti-goat IgG; Molecular Probes) was diluted 1:200 in PBS and added after washing the cells three times with PBS. To counterstain nuclei, 5 mM Draq5 (Alexis Biochemicals) was added for five minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed once with PBS and left in 100 ml/well PBS for imaging.

Cells were imaged using an IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare) utilizing the 51008bs dichroic for cells stained with Draq5 and Alexa Fluor 488. Exposure times were optimized using a positive control wells and wells with secondary only for untreated negative controls. Twelve fields per well were obtained to compensate for any cell loss during the treatment and staining procedures. Total cell numbers and total cell intensity for Sox-17 and HNF-3beta were measured using the IN Cell Developer Toolbox 1.6 (GE Healthcare) software. Segmentation for the nuclei was determined based on grey-scale levels (baseline range 100-300) and nuclear size. Averages and standard deviations were calculated for replicates. Total protein expression was reported as total intensity or integrated intensity, defined as total fluorescence of the cell times area of the cell. Background was eliminated based on acceptance criteria of grey-scale ranges between 300 to 3000 and form factors greater than or equal to 0.4. Total intensity data were normalized by dividing the total intensities for each well by the average total intensity for the Wnt3a/Activin A positive control. Normalized data was calculated for averages and standard deviation for each replicate set.

Table IV is a representative summary of all screening results. Table V is a list of hits from this screening. Strong hits are defined as greater than or equal to 120% of control values; moderate hits are defined as falling within the interval of 60-120% of control values. A significant number of compounds induce both a proliferative response in this assay. In parallel, a significant number of compounds induce differentiation in this assay, as measured by the protein expression of Sox17 and Hnf-3b transcription factors.

Example 6 Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3β Enzyme Activity on the Proliferation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Determined Using a Plate Reader Assay

Maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (H9 or H1 lines) was conducted as described in Example 1. Colonies of cells were maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state with passage on average every four days. Passage was performed by exposing cell cultures to a solution of collagenase (1 mg/ml; Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 to 30 minutes at 37° C. followed by gentle scraping with a pipette tip to recover cell clusters. Clusters were allowed to sediment and washed to remove residual collagenase. Cell clusters were split at a ratio of 1:3 monolayer area for routine culture or a 1:1 ratio for immediate assay. The human embryonis stem cell lines used for these examples were maintained at passage numbers less than 50 and routinely evaluated for normal karyotypic phenotype as well as absence of mycoplasm contamination.

Cell clusters used in assay were evenly resuspended in normal culture medium and plated into MATRIGEL-coated 96-well Packard VIEWPLATES (PerkinElmer) in volumes of 100 μl/well. MEF conditioned medium supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF) was used for initial plating and recovery. Daily feeding was conducted by aspirating spent culture medium from each well and replacing with an equal volume of fresh medium. Plates were maintained at 37° C. in a humidified box, 5% CO₂ throughout the duration of assay.

Primary screening assays were initiated by aspirating culture medium from each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. Test volumes of 80-100 μl per well were added back containing DMEM:F12 base medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 0.5% FCS (HyClone) and 100 ng/ml activin A (R&D Biosystems) and 10 μM test compound. Positive control wells contained the same medium substituting 10-20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems). Negative control wells contained base medium with 0.5% FCS without activin A or Wnt3a. Screening compounds were tested in triplicate. Wells were aspirated and fed again with identical solutions on day 2 of the assay. On days 3 and 4, all assay wells were aspirated and converted to DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml activin A with the exception of negative control wells which were maintained in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS.

On day 4 of assay, 15-20 μl of MTS (Promega) was added to each well and plates were incubated at 37° C. for 1.5 to 4 hours. Densitometric readings at OD490 were determined using a Molecular Devices spectrophotometer plate reader. Average readings for replicate sets were calculated along with standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Experimental wells were compared to the Activin A/Wnt3a positive control to calculate a percent control value as a measure of proliferation.

Table VI is a representative summary of all screening results. Table VII is a list of hits from this screening. Strong hits are defined as greater than or equal to 120% of control values; moderate hits are defined as falling within the interval of 60-120% of control values. A significant number of compounds induce a proliferative response in this assay.

Example 7 Effects of GSK-3β Enzyme Inhibitors on the Differentiation and Proliferation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Dose Titration of Lead Compounds

It was important to confirm the activity of hits identified from primary screening and further analyze the range of activity by dose titration. New samples of a selective subset of primary screening hits were obtained as dry powders, solubilized to make fresh stock reagents, and diluted into secondary confirmation assays to evaluate effects on human embryonic stem cells.

Culture of two human embryonic stem cells (H1 and H9) was conducted as described in Example 1. Colonies of cells were maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state on Matrigel™ (Invitrogen)-coated polystyrene plastic, using a 1:30 dilution of Matrigel™ in DMEM:F12 to coat the surface. Cells were split by enzymatic passage every four days on average. Passage was performed by exposing cell monolayers to a solution of collagenase (1 mg/ml, Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 to 60 minutes at 37° C. followed by gentle scraping with a pipette tip to recover cell clusters. Clusters were allowed to sediment by gravity, then washed to remove residual collagenase. Cell clusters were split at a 1:3 ratio for maintenance culture or a 1:1 ratio for subsequent assay. The human embryonic stem cell lines were maintained at less than passage 50 and routinely evaluated for normal karyotypic phenotype and absence of mycoplasma contamination.

Preparation of Cells for Assay:

Cell clusters of the H1 or H9 human embryonic stem cell lines used in the assay were evenly resuspended in culture medium and plated onto Matrigel™-coated 96-well Packard VIEWPLATES (PerkinElmer) in volumes of 100 μl/well. MEF conditioned medium supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF was used for initial plating and expansion. Daily feeding was conducted by aspirating spent culture medium from each well and replacing with an equal volume of fresh medium. Cultures were allowed to expand one to three days after plating prior to initiating assay. Plates were maintained at 37° C., 5% CO₂ in a humidified box for the duration of assay.

Preparation of Compounds and Assay Medium:

A subset of hits resulting from primary screening was used for follow-up study and subsequent secondary assays. Twenty compounds available as dry powders were solubilized as 10 mM stocks in DMSO and stored desiccated at −20° C. until use. Immediately prior to assay, compound stocks were diluted 1:1000 to make 10 μM test compound in DMEM:F12 base medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 0.5% FCS (HyClone) and 100 ng/ml Activin A (R&D Biosystems). This was further diluted two-fold in series to make a seven point dilution curve for each compound, also in DMEM:F12 base medium with 0.5% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A.

Secondary Screening Assay:

Assay was initiated by aspirating culture medium from cell monolayers in each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. Test volumes of 100 μl per well were added back containing medium with 0.5% FCS and different concentrations of inhibitor compounds with 100 ng/ml Activin A, without Wnt3a. Positive control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS and with 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3 and 4, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound or Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on days 3 and 4 in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS.

Assay Evaluation:

At the end of culture, cells in 96-well plates were washed twice with PBS then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 20 minutes, washed three times more with PBS, and then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature. After fixing and permeabilizing, cells were washed again three times with PBS and then blocked with 4% chicken serum (Invitrogen) in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Primary antibodies (goat anti-human Sox17; R&D Systems) were diluted 1:100 in 4% chicken serum and added to the cells for one hour at room temperature. Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody (chicken anti-goat IgG; Molecular Probes) was diluted 1:200 in PBS and added to each well after washing the cells three times with PBS. To counterstain nuclei, 2 μg/ml Hoechst 33342 (Invitrogen) was added for ten minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed once with PBS and left in 100 μl/well PBS for imaging.

Cells were imaged using an IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare) utilizing the 51008bs dichroic for cells stained with Hoechst 33342 and Alexa Fluor 488. Exposure times were optimized using positive control wells and wells stained with secondary antibody alone as an untreated negative control. Images from 15 fields per well were acquired to compensate for any cell loss during the treatment and staining procedures. Measurements for total cell number and total Sox-17 intensity were obtained for each well using IN Cell Developer Toolbox 1.7 (GE Healthcare) software. Segmentation for the nuclei was determined based on grey-scale levels (baseline range 100-300) and nuclear size. Averages and standard deviations were calculated for each replicate data set. Total Sox117 protein expression was reported as total intensity or integrated intensity, defined as total fluorescence of the cell times area of the cell. Background was eliminated based on acceptance criteria of grey-scale ranges between 300 to 3000 and form factors greater than or equal to 0.4. Total intensity data were normalized by dividing the total intensities for each well by the average total intensity for the Wnt3a/Activin A positive control. Normalized data were calculated for averages and standard deviations for each replicate set.

Results

Results are shown for eight GSK-3B enzyme inhibitors where activity was confirmed and potency was determined by titration in this secondary assay. Data presented show compound effects on cell number and Sox17 intensity where respective data points were averaged from a duplicate set and mined for each parameter from identical fields and wells. In this example, Sox17 expression is indicative of definitive endoderm differentiation. Results for cell number and Sox17 intensity, respectively, using the H1 human embryonic stem cell line are shown in Tables VIII and IX. Results for the H9 human embryonic stem cell line are shown in Tables X and XI. Positive control values were normalized to 1.000 for cell number and Sox117 intensity. Negative control values were less-than 0.388 for cell number and less-than 0.065 for Sox17 intensity with both cell lines. A graphic portrayal of these data, comparing both human embryonic stem cell lines and including a dose titration of each compound, is provided in FIGS. 1 to 8. Cell number is presented in panel A; Sox17 intensity is shown in panel B. These data confirm that each compound can promote hES cell proliferation and definitive endoderm differentiation and identify an optimal range of activity.

Example 8 Effects of GSK-3β Enzyme Inhibitors on the Expression of Additional Markers Associated with Definitive Endoderm

It was important to demonstrate that lead compounds could also induce other markers indicative of definitive endoderm differentiation, in addition to the transcription factor Sox17. A select subset of hits was tested for their ability to promote expression of CXCR4, a surface receptor protein, and HNF-3 beta, a transcription factor also associated with definitive endoderm differentiation.

Preparation of Cells for Assay:

Cell Clusters from the H1 Human Embryonis stem cell line used in the assay were evenly resuspended in culture medium and plated onto MATRIGEL™-coated (1:30 dilution) 6-well plates (Corning) in volumes of 2 ml/well. MEF conditioned medium supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF was used for initial plating and expansion. Daily feeding was conducted by aspirating spent culture medium from each well and replacing with an equal volume of fresh medium. Cultures were allowed to expand one to three days after plating prior to initiating assay. Plates were maintained at 37° C., 5% CO₂ for the duration of assay.

Preparation of Compounds and Assay Medium:

A subset of seven hits resulting from primary screening was used for follow-up study and subsequent secondary assays. Neat compounds were solubilized as 10 mM stocks in DMSO and stored desiccated at −20° C. until use. Immediately prior to assay, compound stocks were diluted to a final concentration ranging between 1 μM and 5 μM in DMEM:F12 base medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 0.5% FCS (HyClone) and 100 ng/ml Activin A (R&D Biosystems).

Assay:

The assay was initiated by aspirating culture medium from cell monolayers in each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. Test volumes of 2 ml per well were added back containing medium with 0.5% FCS and different concentrations of inhibitor compounds with 100 ng/ml Activin A, without Wnt3a. Positive control wells contained the same base medium and 0.5% FCS with 100 ng/ml Activin A and 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained base medium with 0.5% FCS, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3 and 4, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound or Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on days 3 and 4 in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS.

Assay Evaluation:

At the end of culture, cell monolayers were washed with PBS and harvested from culture plates by incubating 5 minutes with TrypLE™ Express solution (Invitrogen, CA). Cells were resuspended in MEF conditioned medium and split into two equal samples. One set of samples was further stained with various fluorescent labeled antibodies and subjected to flow cytometric (FACS) analysis. A second parallel set of samples was subjected to quantitative PCR.

Cells for FACS analysis were washed into PBS and blocked for 15 minutes at 4° C. in 0.125% human gamma-globulin (Sigma cat# G-4386) diluted in PBS and BD FACS staining buffer. Aliquots of cells (approximately 10⁵ cells each) were stained for 30 minutes at 4° C. with antibodies directly conjugated to a fluorescent tag and having specificity for CD9 PE (BD#555372), CD99 PE (Caltag#MHCD9904), or CXCR-4 APC (R&D Systems cat# FAB 173A). After a series of washes in BD FACS staining buffer, cells were stained with 7-AAD (BD#559925) to assess viability and analyzed on a BD FACS Array instrument (BD Biosciences), collecting at least 10,000 events. Mouse IgG₁k isotype control antibodies for both PE and APC were used to gate percent positive cells.

Cells for quantitative PCR were processed for RNA extraction, purification, and cDNA synthesis. RNA samples were purified by binding to a silica-gel membrane (Rneasy Mini Kit, Qiagen, CA) in the presence of an ethanol-containing, high-salt buffer followed by washing to remove contaminants. The RNA was further purified using a TURBO DNA-free kit (Ambion, Inc.), and high-quality RNA was eluted in water. Yield and purity were assessed by A260 and A280 readings on a spectrophotometer. cDNA copies were made from purified RNA using an Applied Biosystems, Inc. (ABI, CA) high capacity cDNA archive kit.

Unless otherwise stated, all reagents for real-time PCR amplification and quantitation were purchased from ABI. Real-time PCR reactions were performed using the ABI PRISM 7900 Sequence Detection System. TAQMAN UNIVERSAL PCR MASTER MIX (ABI, CA) was used with 20 ng of reverse transcribed RNA in a total reaction volume of 20 μl. Each cDNA sample was run in duplicate to correct for pipetting errors. Primers and FAM-labeled TAQMAN probes were used at concentrations of 200 nM. The level of expression for each target gene was normalized using a human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) endogenous control previously developed by ABI. Primer and probe sets are listed as follows: CXCR4 (Hs00237052), GAPDH (4310884E), HNF3b (Hs00232764), SOX17 (probe part #450025, forward and reverse part #4304971).

After an initial incubation at 50° C. for 2 min followed by 95° C. for 10 min, samples were cycled 40 times in two stages, a denaturation step at 95° C. for 15 sec followed by an annealing/extension step at 60° C. for 1 min. Data analysis was carried out using GENEAMP 7000 Sequence Detection System software. For each primer/probe set, a Ct value was determined as the cycle number at which the fluorescence intensity reached a specific value in the middle of the exponential region of amplification. Relative gene expression levels were calculated using the comparative Ct method. Briefly, for each cDNA sample, the endogenous control Ct value was subtracted from the gene of interest Ct to give the delta Ct value (ΔCt). The normalized amount of target was calculated as 2-ΔCt, assuming amplification to be 100% efficiency. Final data were expressed relative to a calibrator sample.

Results

FIG. 9 displays the FACS analysis of percent positive cells expressing CXCR4 surface receptor after treatment with various GSK3 inhibitors. Two concentrations of each compound, ranging between 1 μM and 5 μM, are shown relative to an untreated population of cells (negative control) or cells treated with Activin A and Wnt3 (positive control). FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show real-time PCR data for CXCR4, Sox17, and HNF3beta, which are also considered to be markers of definitive endoderm. Both FACS and real-time PCR analysis demonstrate a significant increase in each of these markers observed in differentiated cells relative to untreated control cells. Expression levels of these definitive endoderm markers were equivalent in some cases to the positive control, demonstrating that a GSK3 inhibitor can substitute for Wnt3a at this stage of differentiation.

Example 9 Effects of GSK-3β Enzyme Inhibitors on the Formation of Pancreatic Endoderm

It was important to demonstrate that treatment with GSK3β inhibitors during induction of definitive endoderm did not prevent the subsequent differentiation of other cell types, such as pancreatic endoderm, for example. A select subset of hits was tested for their ability to promote expression of PDX1 and HNF6, key transcription factors associated with pancreatic endoderm.

Maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (H1 and H9 lines) was conducted as described in Example 1. Colonies of cells were maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state with passage on average every four days. Passage was performed by exposing cell cultures to a solution of collagenase (1 mg/ml; Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 to 30 minutes at 37° C., followed by gentle scraping with a pipette tip to recover cell clusters. Clusters were allowed to sediment by gravity, followed by washing to remove residual collagenase. Cell clusters were split at a 1:3 ratio for routine maintenance culture or a 1:1 ratio for subsequent assay. The human embryonic stem cell lines used were maintained at less than passage 50 and routinely evaluated for normal karyotypic phenotype and absence of mycoplasma contamination.

Cell Preparation of Assay:

Cell clusters of the H1 human embryonis stem cell line used in the assay were evenly resuspended in culture medium and plated onto MATRIGEL-coated (1:30 dilution) 24-well plates (black well; Arctic White) in volumes of 1 ml/well. MEF conditioned medium supplemented with 8 ng/ml bFGF was used for initial plating and expansion. In a second experiment, clusters of hES cells from the H9 line were plated in 96-well plates on mouse embryonic feeder (MEF) layers, previously inactivated by treating with mitomycin C (Sigma Chemical Co). Culture medium for hES cells on MEF monolayers consisted of DMEM:F12 with 20% Knockout Serum Replacer (Invitrogen) supplemented with minimal essential amino acids (Invitrogen), L-glutamine, and 2-mercaptoethanol. Daily feeding was conducted by aspirating spent culture medium from each well and replacing with an equal volume of fresh medium. Cultures were allowed to expand one to three days after plating prior to initiating assay. Plates were maintained at 37° C., 5% CO₂ for the duration of assay.

Preparation of Compounds and Assay Medium:

A subset of eight hits resulting from primary screening was used for follow-up study and subsequent secondary assays. Neat compounds were solubilized as 10 mM stocks in DMSO and stored desiccated at −20° C. until use. Immediately prior to assay, compound stocks were diluted to a final concentration ranging between 1 μM and 5 μM in base medium with additives.

Assay:

In this assay, GSK3 inhibitors were included only on days 1 and 2 of the definitive endoderm differentiation step, substituting for Wnt3a. Embryonic stem cell cultures on MATRIGEL™ were initiated as described in Examples 7 and 8 above by aspirating culture medium from cell monolayers in each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. For differentiation to definitive endoderm, test volumes (0.5 ml per well for 24-well plates, 100 μl per well for 96-well plates) were added containing DMEM:F12 medium with) 0.5% FCS and different concentrations of inhibitor compounds with 100 ng/ml Activin A, without Wnt3a. Positive control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS and with 100 ng/ml Activin A and 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3 and 4, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound or Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on days 3 and 4 in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS. For differentiation to pancreatic endoderm, cells were treated for three days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 2% FCS with 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine (EMD Biosciences) and 20 ng/ml FGF7 (R&D Biosystems). Cells were then treated for an additional four days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 containing 1% B27 (Invitrogen), 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine, 2 μM Retinoic Acid (RA; Sigma-Aldrich) and 20 ng/ml FGF7. Parallel negative control wells were maintained throughout in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS (stage 2) or 1% B27 (stage 3) and without any other additives.

Parallel cultures of H9 human embryonic cells were grown on MEF feeder layers, and differentiated to pancreatic endoderm. Definitive endoderm differentiation was achieved by culturing the cells in medium consisting of RPMI-1640 (Invitrogen) containing no serum on day 1 and 0.2% FCS on days 2 and 3 along with different concentrations of inhibitor compounds and 100 ng/ml Activin A. Positive control wells contained the same base medium (with or without serum) with 100 ng/ml Activin A and 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained the same base medium with or without serum, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On day 3, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with RPMI-1640 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound and Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on day 3 in RPMI-1640 base medium with 2% FCS. Cells were differentiated into pancreatic endoderm by treating the cells for four days, feeding daily with RPMI-1640 base medium containing 2% FCS with 0.25 mM KAAD cyclopamine (EMD Biosciences) and 50 ng/ml FGF10 (R&D Biosystems). Subsequently, cells were treated for three days duration, feeding daily with RPMI-1640 containing 1% B27 (Invitrogen), 0.25 mM KAAD cyclopamine, 2 mM Retinoic Acid (RA; Sigma-Aldrich) and 50 ng/ml FGF10. Parallel negative control wells were maintained throughout in RPMI-1640 base medium with 2% FCS (stage 2) or 1% B27 (stage 3) and without any other additives.

Assay Evaluation:

At the end the differentiation, cells were examined as described in Example 8 for gene expression by real-time PCR. For high content fluorescence staining, cells in 96-well plates were washed twice with PBS then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 20 minutes, washed three times more with PBS, and then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature. After fixing and permeabilizing, cells were washed again three times with PBS and blocked with 4% chicken serum (Invitrogen) in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Primary antibody (goat anti-human Pdx1; Santa Cruz) was diluted 1:100 in 4% chicken serum and added to cells for two hours at room temperature. Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody (chicken anti-goat IgG; Molecular Probes) was diluted 1:200 in PBS and added to each well after washing the cells three times with PBS. To counterstain nuclei, 2 μg/ml Hoechst 33342 (Invitrogen) was added for ten minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed once with PBS and left in 100 μl/well PBS for imaging.

Cells were imaged using an IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare) utilizing the 51008bs dichroic for cells stained with Hoechst 33342 and Alexa Fluor 488. Exposure times were optimized using positive control wells and wells stained with secondary antibody alone. Images from 15 fields per well were acquired to compensate for any cell loss during the treatment and staining procedures. Measurements for total cell number and total Pdx1 intensity were obtained for each well using IN Cell Developer Toolbox 1.7 (GE Healthcare) software. Segmentation for the nuclei was determined based on grey-scale levels (baseline range 100-300) and nuclear size. Averages and standard deviations were calculated for each replicate data set. Total Pdx1 protein expression was reported as total intensity or integrated intensity, defined as total fluorescence of the cell times area of the cell. Background was eliminated based on acceptance criteria of grey-scale ranges between 300 to 3000. Total intensity data were normalized by dividing the total intensities for each well by the average total intensity for the Wnt3a/Activin A positive control. Normalized data were calculated for averages and standard deviations for each replicate set.

Cells for quantitative PCR were lysed in RLT buffer (Qiagen) and then processed for RNA extraction, purification, and cDNA synthesis. RNA samples were purified by binding to a silica-gel membrane (Rneasy Mini Kit, Qiagen, CA) in the presence of an ethanol-containing, high-salt buffer followed by washing to remove contaminants. The RNA was further purified using a TURBO DNA-free kit (Ambion, Inc.), and high-quality RNA was then eluted in water. Yield and purity were assessed by A260 and A280 readings on a spectrophotometer. cDNA copies were made from purified RNA using an Applied Biosystems, Inc. (ABI, CA) high capacity cDNA archive kit.

Unless otherwise stated, all reagents for real-time PCR amplification and quantitation were purchased from ABI. Real-time PCR reactions were performed using the ABI PRISM 7900 Sequence Detection System. TAQMAN UNIVERSAL PCR MASTER MIX was used with 20 ng of reverse transcribed RNA in a total reaction volume of 20 μl. Each cDNA sample was run in duplicate to correct for pipetting errors. Primers and FAM-labeled TAQMAN probes were used at concentrations of 200 nM. The level of expression for each target gene was normalized using a human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) endogenous control previously developed by ABI. Primer and probe sets are listed as follows: PDX1 (Hs00236830_m1), GAPDH (4310884E), and HNF6 (Hs00413554_m1).

After an initial incubation at 50° C. for 2 min followed by 95° C. for 10 min, samples were cycled 40 times in two stages, a denaturation step at 95° C. for 15 sec followed by an annealing/extension step at 60° C. for 1 min. Data analysis was carried out using GENEAMPO7000 Sequence Detection System software. For each primer/probe set, a Ct value was determined as the cycle number at which the fluorescence intensity reached a specific value in the middle of the exponential region of amplification. Relative gene expression levels were calculated using the comparative Ct method. Briefly, for each cDNA sample, the endogenous control Ct value was subtracted from the gene of interest Ct to give the delta Ct value (ΔCt). The normalized amount of target was calculated as 2-ΔCt, assuming amplification to be 100% efficiency. Final data were expressed relative to a calibrator sample.

Results

Results are shown for eight GSK-3β enzyme inhibitors. Data presented in FIG. 11 from high content analysis show effects on cell number (panel A) and Pdx1 intensity (panel B) for the H1 hES cell line, where respective data points were averaged from a duplicate sample set and mined for each parameter from identical fields and wells. Data presented in FIG. 12 from real-time PCR show effects of these small molecule inhibitors on induced expression of two transcription factors, Pdx1 and HNF6. In these examples, Pdx1 and HNF6 expression are indicative of pancreatic endoderm differentiation. GSK3β inhibitor compounds in these assays can substitute for Wnt3a during early stages of cell lineage commitment; resulting cells sustain a capacity to form pancreatic endoderm during later sequential stages of differentiation.

Example 10 Effects of GSK-3β Enzyme Inhibitors on the Formation of Pancreatic Endocrine Cells

It was important to demonstrate that treatment with GSK3 inhibitors during induction of definitive endoderm did not prevent the subsequent differentiation of other cell types, such as pancreatic endocrine cells, or insulin producing cells, for example. A select subset of hits was tested for their ability to promote expression of pancreatic hormones.

Cell Preparation for Assay:

Pancreatic endoderm cells obtained according to the methods described in Example 9 (cultured on 96-well plates and 24-well plates) were subsequently subjected to agents that cause the cells to differentiate into pancreatic hormone expressing cells.

Assay for cultures of the H1 human embryonic stem cell line on MATRIGEL™ was initiated as described in Examples 7-9 above by aspirating culture medium from cell monolayers in each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. For differentiation to definitive endoderm, test volumes (0.5 ml per well for 24-well plates, 100 μl per well for 96-well plates) were added containing medium with 0.5% FCS and different concentrations of inhibitor compounds with 100 ng/ml Activin A, without Wnt3a. Positive control wells contained the same base medium and 0.5% FCS with 100 ng/ml Activin A and 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3, 4, and 5, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound or Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on days 3, 4, and 5 in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS. For differentiation to pancreatic endoderm, cells were treated for three days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 2% FCS with 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine (EMD Biosciences) and 20 ng/ml FGF7 (R&D Biosystems). Cells were subsequently treated for four days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 containing 1% B27 (Invitrogen), 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine, 2 μM Retinoic Acid (RA; Sigma-Aldrich) and 20 ng/ml FGF7. Parallel negative control wells during stages 2 and 3 were maintained throughout in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS or 1% B27 and without any other additives. After formation of pancreatic endoderm, cells were treated further for six days duration, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 10% B27 with 1 μM DAPT (gamma secretase inhibitor: EMD Biosciences) and 50 ng/ml Exendin 4 (Sigma-Aldrich). Cells were then treated for another three days duration, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 1% B27, 50 ng/ml Exendin 4, 50 ng/ml IGF (R&D Biosystems) and 50 ng/ml HGF (R&D Biosystems). Parallel negative control wells were maintained throughout in DMEM:F12 base medium with 1% B27 and without any other additives.

Assay Evaluation:

At the end of culture, cells were treated as in Examples 7 and 8 above for evaluation by high content analysis or real-time PCR.

For high content fluorescence staining, cells in 96-well plates were washed twice with PBS then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 20 minutes, washed three times more with PBS, and then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature. After fixing and permeabilizing, cells were washed again three times with PBS and blocked with 4% chicken serum (Invitrogen) in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Primary antibody (guinea pig anti-swine insulin, cross-reactive with human insulin; DakoCytomation) was diluted 1:500 in 4% goat serum and added to cells for one hour at room temperature. Cells were washed three times with PBS and then stained with Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody (goat anti-guinea pig IgG; Molecular Probes) diluted 1:100 in 4% goat serum. To counterstain nuclei, 2 μg/ml Hoechst 33342 (Invitrogen) was added for ten minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed once with PBS and left in 100 μl/well PBS for imaging.

Cells were imaged using an IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare) utilizing the 51008bs dichroic for cells stained with Hoechst 33342 and Alexa Fluor 488. Exposure times were optimized using positive control wells and wells stained with secondary antibody alone. Images from 15 fields per well were acquired to compensate for any cell loss during the treatment and staining procedures. Measurements for total cell number and total insulin intensity were obtained for each well using IN Cell Developer Toolbox 1.7 (GE Healthcare) software. Segmentation for the nuclei was determined based on grey-scale levels (baseline range 100-300) and nuclear size. Averages and standard deviations were calculated for each replicate data set. Total insulin protein expression was reported as total intensity or integrated intensity, defined as total fluorescence of the cell times area of the cell. Background was eliminated based on acceptance criteria of grey-scale ranges between 300 to 3000. Total intensity data were normalized by dividing the total intensities for each well by the average total intensity for the Wnt3a/Activin A positive control. Normalized data were calculated for averages and standard deviations for each triplicate set.

Cells for quantitative PCR were lysed in RLT buffer (Qiagen) and then processed for RNA extraction, purification, and cDNA synthesis. RNA samples were purified by binding to a silica-gel membrane (Rneasy Mini Kit, Qiagen, CA) in the presence of an ethanol-containing, high-salt buffer followed by washing to remove contaminants. The RNA was further purified using a TURBO DNA-free kit (Ambion, INC), and high-quality RNA was eluted in water. Yield and purity were assessed by A260 and A280 readings on a spectrophotometer. cDNA copies were made from purified RNA using an Applied Biosystems, Inc. (ABI, CA) high capacity cDNA archive kit.

Unless otherwise stated, all reagents for real-time PCR amplification and quantitation were purchased from ABI. Real-time PCR reactions were performed using the ABI PRISM® 7900 Sequence Detection System. TAQMAN® UNIVERSAL PCR MASTER MIX® (ABI, CA) was used with 20 ng of reverse transcribed RNA in a total reaction volume of 20 μl. Each cDNA sample was run in duplicate to correct for pipetting errors. Primers and FAM-labeled TAQMAN®probes were used at concentrations of 200 nM. The level of expression for each target gene was normalized using a human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) endogenous control previously developed by ABI. Primer and probe sets are listed as follows: PDX1 (Hs00236830_m1), Insulin (Hs00355773), and GAPDH (4310884E).

After an initial incubation at 50° C. for 2 min followed by 95° C. for 10 min, samples were cycled 40 times in two stages, a denaturation step at 95° C. for 15 sec followed by an annealing/extension step at 60° C. for 1 min. Data analysis was carried out using GENEAMP®7000 Sequence Detection System software. For each primer/probe set, a C_(t) value was determined as the cycle number at which the fluorescence intensity reached a specific value in the middle of the exponential region of amplification. Relative gene expression levels were calculated using the comparative C_(t) method. Briefly, for each cDNA sample, the endogenous control C_(t) value was subtracted from the gene of interest C_(t) to give the delta C_(t) value (ΔC_(t)). The normalized amount of target was calculated as 2^(−ΔCt), assuming amplification to be 100% efficiency. Final data were expressed relative to a calibrator sample.

Results

Results are shown for eight GSK-3B enzyme inhibitors. Data presented in FIG. 13 from high content analysis show compound effects on cell number (panel A) and insulin intensity (panel B) for the H1 hES cell line where respective data points were averaged from a triplicate set and mined for each parameter from identical fields and wells. Data presented in FIG. 14 from real-time PCR show compound effects for Pdx1 and insulin. In these examples, Pdx1 and insulin expression are indicative of pancreatic endoderm differentiation and generation of hormonal positive cells. Selective GSK3β inhibitor compounds in these assays can substitute for Wnt3a during early stages of cell lineage commitment and can induce and sustain pancreatic beta cell formation during later sequential stages of differentiation, as evident from both insulin immunostaining and real-time PCR.

Example 11 Additive Effects of GSK-3β Enzyme Inhibitors on the Formation of Pancreatic Endocrine Cells

It was important to demonstrate that treatment with GSK3β inhibitors could improve pancreatic beta cell differentiation if added during multiple phases of cell fate commitment. A select subset of hits was tested by sequential timed addition to enhance insulin expression associated with pancreatic hormonal positive cells.

Preparation of Cells for Assay: Cell Preparation for Assay:

Pancreatic endoderm cells obtained according to the methods described in Example 9 and 10 (cultured on 96-well plates) were subsequently subjected to agents that cause the cells to differentiate into pancreatic hormone expressing cells.

Assay for cultures of the H1 human embryonic stem cell line on MATRIGEL™ was initiated as described in Examples 7-9 above by aspirating culture medium from cell monolayers in each well followed by three washes in PBS to remove residual growth factors and serum. For differentiation to definitive endoderm, test volumes (100 μl per well for 96-well plates) were added containing medium with 0.5% FCS and different concentrations of inhibitor compounds with 100 ng/ml Activin A, without Wnt3a. Positive control wells contained the same base medium and 0.5% FCS with 100 ng/ml Activin A and 20 ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D Biosystems) in the absence of test compound. Negative control wells contained the same base medium with 0.5% FCS, in the absence of Activin A, Wnt3a, or test compound. Assay wells were aspirated and fed again with identical concentrations of test compound or control solutions on day 2 of assay. On days 3, 4, and 5, all assay wells were aspirated and fed with DMEM:F12 supplemented with 2% FCS and 100 ng/ml Activin A in the absence of both test compound or Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained on days 3, 4, and 5 in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS. For differentiation to pancreatic endoderm, cells were treated for three days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 2% FCS with 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine (EMD Biosciences) and 20 ng/ml FGF7 (R&D Biosystems). Cells were subsequently treated for four days, feeding daily with DMEM:F12 containing 1% B27 (Invitrogen), 0.25 μM KAAD cyclopamine, 2 μM Retinoic Acid (RA; Sigma-Aldrich) and 20 ng/ml FGF7. Parallel negative control wells were maintained throughout in DMEM:F12 base medium with 2% FCS or 1% B27 and without any other additives. After formation of pancreatic endoderm, cells were treated further for six days duration, feeding alternating days with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 1% B27 with 1 μM DAPT (gamma secretase inhibitor: EMD Biosciences) and 50 ng/ml Exendin 4 (Sigma-Aldrich) and 1 μM TGFbeta R1 inhibitor II (ALK5 inhibitor; EMD Biosciences). During this six day period, GSK3β inhibitors were added back to respective wells, using the same concentration as previous treatment at the initiation of differentiation. Cells were then treated for another three days duration, feeding alternating days with DMEM:F12 base medium containing 1% B27, 50 ng/ml Exendin 4, 50 ng/ml IGF (R&D Biosystems) and 50 ng/ml HGF (R&D Biosystems), and 1 μM TGFbeta R1 inhibitor II (ALK5 inhibitor; EMD Biosciences). During this three day period, GSK33 inhibitors were added back to respective wells, using the same concentration as previous treatment at the initiation of differentiation. Parallel sets of positive control wells were treated in the presence or absence of 20 ng/ml Wnt3a. Parallel negative control wells were maintained throughout in DMEM:F12 base medium with 1% B27 and without any other additives.

Assay Evaluation:

At the end of culture, cells were treated as in Example 10 above for evaluation by high content analysis.

For high content fluorescence staining, cells in 96-well plates were washed twice with PBS then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 20 minutes, washed three times more with PBS, and then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature. After fixing and permeabilizing, cells were washed again three times with PBS and blocked with 4% chicken serum (Invitrogen) in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Primary antibody (guinea pig anti-swine insulin, cross-reactive with human insulin; DakoCytomation) was diluted 1:500 in 4% goat serum and added to cells for one hour at room temperature. Cells were washed three times with PBS and then stained with Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated secondary antibody (goat anti-guinea pig IgG; Molecular Probes) diluted 1:100 in 4% goat serum. To counterstain nuclei, 2 μg/ml Hoechst 33342 (Invitrogen) was added for ten minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed once with PBS and left in 100 μl/well PBS for imaging.

Cells were imaged using an IN Cell Analyzer 1000 (GE Healthcare) utilizing the 51008bs dichroic for cells stained with Hoechst 33342 and Alexa Fluor 488. Exposure times were optimized using positive control wells and wells stained with secondary antibody alone. Images from 15 fields per well were acquired to compensate for any cell loss during the treatment and staining procedures. Measurements for total cell number and total insulin intensity were obtained for each well using IN Cell Developer Toolbox 1.7 (GE Healthcare) software. Segmentation for the nuclei was determined based on grey-scale levels (baseline range 100-300) and nuclear size. Averages and standard deviations were calculated for each replicate data set. Total insulin protein expression was reported as total intensity or integrated intensity, defined as total fluorescence of the cell times area of the cell. Background was eliminated based on acceptance criteria of grey-scale ranges between 300 to 3000. Total intensity data were normalized by dividing the total intensities for each well by the average total intensity for the Wnt3a/Activin A positive control. Normalized data were calculated for averages and standard deviations for each triplicate set.

Results

Results are shown for eight GSK-3B enzyme inhibitors. Data presented in FIG. 15 from high content analysis show compound effects on cell number (panel A) and insulin intensity (panel B) for the H1 hES cell line, where respective data points were averaged from a triplicate set and mined for each parameter from identical fields and wells. In this example, insulin expression is indicative of differentiation to hormonal positive pancreatic cells. Selective GSK3β inhibitor compounds in these assays can substitute for Wnt3a during early stages of cell lineage commitment and, when added at later stages of differentiation, appear to promote enhanced insulin expression relative to a positive control sample.

Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

TABLE IA List of primary antibodies used for FACS and immunostainininganalysis. Antibody Supplier Isotype Clone SSEA-1 Chemicon (CA) Mouse IgM MC-480 SSEA-3 Chemicon (CA) Mouse IgG3 MC-631 SSEA-4 Chemicon (CA) Rat IgM MC-813-70 TRA 1-60 Chemicon (CA) Mouse IgM TRA 1-60 TRA 1-81 Chemicon (CA) Mouse IgM TRA 1-81 TRA 1-85 Chemicon (CA) Mouse IgG1 TRA 1-85 AP R&D Systems Mouse IgG1 B4-78 HNF3β R&D Systems Goat IgG PDX1 Santa Cruz Biotechnology, INC Goat IgG A-17 GATA4 R&D Systems Goat IgG Sox 17 R&D Systems Goat IgG CD 9 BD Mouse IgG1 M-L13

TABLE Ib List of secondary conjugated antibodies used for FACS and immunostainininganalysis. Secondary Conjugated Antibody Supplier Dilution Goat Anti-Mouse IgG APC Jackson ImmunoResearch (PA) 1:200 conjugated Goat Anti-Mouse IgG PE Jackson ImmunoResearch (PA) 1:200 conjugated Donkey anti-rabbit PE or Jackson ImmunoResearch (PA) 1:200 -APC conjugated Donkey anti-goat PE or -APC Jackson ImmunoResearch (PA) 1:200 conjugated Goat anti-mouse IgM PE SouthernBiotech (AL) 1:200 Goat anti-Rat IgM PE SouthernBiotech (AL) 1:200 Goat anti-mouse IgG3 PE SouthernBiotech (AL) 1:200

TABLE II Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the Viability of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers. Raw data (duplicate) Average S.D. % CV % Control JNJ5226780 0.785 0.790 0.788 0.00382 0.48 94.0 JNJ10179026 0.148 0.152 0.150 0.00247 1.65 4.8 JNJ17154215 0.427 0.462 0.444 0.02496 5.62 46.0 JNJ17205955 0.643 0.638 0.641 0.00368 0.57 73.5 JNJ180125 0.762 0.762 0.762 0.00007 0.01 90.4 JNJ18157646 0.850 0.824 0.837 0.01824 2.18 101.0 JNJ19370026 0.911 0.884 0.898 0.01881 2.10 109.5 JNJ19567340 0.723 0.743 0.733 0.01421 1.94 86.4 JNJ7830433 0.161 0.169 0.165 0.00559 3.39 6.9 JNJ10179130 0.767 0.789 0.778 0.01556 2.00 92.6 JNJ17154215 0.512 0.555 0.533 0.03048 5.72 58.4 JNJ17205955 0.282 0.293 0.288 0.00792 2.75 24.1 JNJ18014061 0.764 0.723 0.743 0.02892 3.89 87.9 JNJ18157698 0.853 0.858 0.855 0.00382 0.45 103.5 JNJ19376240 0.832 0.837 0.834 0.00361 0.43 100.6 JNJ19567405 0.726 0.725 0.725 0.00042 0.06 85.3 JNJ8706646 0.132 0.137 0.134 0.00368 2.74 2.6 JNJ10182562 0.797 0.793 0.795 0.00346 0.44 95.1 JNJ17157659 0.776 0.787 0.782 0.00792 1.01 93.2 JNJ17205994 0.164 0.148 0.156 0.01131 7.24 5.6 JNJ18014074 0.475 0.383 0.429 0.06548 15.26 43.8 JNJ18157698 0.823 0.774 0.798 0.03444 4.31 95.6 JNJ19386042 0.781 0.729 0.755 0.03649 4.83 89.5 JNJ19573541 0.143 0.149 0.146 0.00396 2.72 4.2 JNJ8710481 0.716 0.716 0.716 0.00014 0.02 84.1 JNJ10182562 0.804 0.802 0.803 0.00148 0.18 96.2 JNJ17163042 0.900 0.877 0.888 0.01626 1.83 108.2 JNJ17226703 0.824 0.799 0.812 0.01725 2.13 97.4 JNJ18018338 0.744 0.819 0.781 0.05261 6.73 93.2 JNJ18157711 0.952 0.966 0.959 0.00933 0.97 118.1 JNJ19410833 0.952 0.919 0.935 0.02277 2.43 114.8 JNJ19574867 0.776 0.777 0.777 0.00042 0.05 92.5 JNJ8710481 0.691 0.617 0.654 0.05254 8.03 75.4 JNJ10184655 0.162 0.134 0.148 0.02022 13.66 4.5 JNJ10166565 0.791 0.608 0.700 0.12947 18.50 81.8 JNJ17982133 0.153 0.129 0.141 0.01676 11.87 3.5 JNJ18018351 0.731 0.585 0.658 0.10317 15.68 75.9 DMSO 0.789 0.700 0.744 0.06279 8.44 88.0 JNJ19410859 0.909 0.675 0.792 0.16546 20.88 94.7 JNJ19574880 0.164 0.151 0.157 0.00926 5.89 5.8 JNJ10148307 0.706 0.672 0.689 0.02404 3.49 83.9 JNJ10222784 0.641 0.601 0.621 0.02878 4.63 73.7 JNJ17174664 0.882 0.748 0.815 0.09504 11.66 102.5 JNJ17989049 0.822 0.802 0.812 0.01400 1.72 102.1 JNJ18047991 0.777 0.764 0.771 0.00919 1.19 95.9 DMSO 0.798 0.771 0.785 0.01916 2.44 98.0 JNJ19410872 0.791 0.789 0.790 0.00134 0.17 98.7 JNJ20948798 0.628 0.640 0.634 0.00806 1.27 75.6 JNJ10164830 0.149 0.135 0.142 0.00969 6.81 2.7 JNJ10222927 0.803 0.782 0.792 0.01492 1.88 99.1 JNJ17187027 0.125 0.129 0.127 0.00318 2.51 0.4 JNJ17994873 0.315 0.542 0.428 0.15995 37.34 45.2 JNJ18055726 0.820 0.748 0.784 0.05091 6.49 97.9 JNJ18157711 0.154 0.165 0.160 0.00806 5.05 5.3 JNJ19558929 0.737 0.730 0.734 0.00481 0.66 90.4 JNJ21192730 0.659 0.647 0.653 0.00813 1.25 78.5 JNJ10164895 0.165 0.154 0.159 0.00785 4.93 5.2 JNJ10231273 0.637 0.554 0.595 0.05876 9.87 69.9 JNJ17187053 0.684 0.588 0.636 0.06809 10.71 76.0 JNJ17994899 0.750 0.624 0.687 0.08945 13.02 83.5 JNJ18077800 0.678 0.618 0.648 0.04285 6.61 77.8 JNJ19363357 0.777 0.667 0.722 0.07757 10.74 88.7 DMSO 0.799 0.649 0.724 0.10564 14.59 89.0 JNJ21194667 0.648 0.625 0.636 0.01662 2.61 76.0 JNJ10172058 0.601 0.620 0.611 0.01308 2.14 72.2 JNJ10259847 0.695 0.702 0.698 0.00552 0.79 85.2 JNJ17193774 0.568 0.709 0.639 0.09956 15.59 76.4 JNJ17994912 0.623 0.765 0.694 0.10041 14.46 84.6 JNJ18157074 0.758 0.762 0.760 0.00297 0.39 94.3 JNJ19369233 0.487 0.434 0.461 0.03769 8.18 49.9 JNJ19567314 0.690 0.686 0.688 0.00262 0.38 83.7 JNJ21196227 0.535 0.550 0.543 0.01089 2.01 62.1 JNJ10178727 0.743 0.638 0.691 0.07446 10.78 84.1 JNJ10259847 0.694 0.603 0.649 0.06449 9.94 77.8 JNJ17200976 0.160 0.186 0.173 0.01824 10.56 7.2 JNJ17994925 0.662 0.566 0.614 0.06788 11.05 72.7 JNJ18157087 0.600 0.514 0.557 0.06102 10.96 64.2 JNJ19369246 0.685 0.524 0.605 0.11427 18.90 71.3 JNJ19567327 0.731 0.525 0.628 0.14552 23.18 74.7 JNJ24843611 0.715 0.596 0.655 0.08436 12.87 78.8 JNJ24843611 0.592 0.572 0.582 0.01393 2.39 70.0 JNJ25758785 0.614 0.611 0.613 0.00177 0.29 74.6 JNJ26064571 0.766 0.849 0.807 0.05869 7.27 104.3 JNJ26130403 0.830 0.813 0.822 0.01195 1.45 106.5 JNJ26170794 0.727 0.730 0.728 0.00198 0.27 92.2 JNJ26241774 0.713 0.836 0.774 0.08733 11.28 99.3 JNJ26367991 0.726 0.719 0.722 0.00523 0.72 91.3 JNJ26483310 0.646 0.681 0.663 0.02510 3.78 82.4 JNJ24326185 0.651 0.649 0.650 0.00120 0.19 80.3 JNJ25758850 0.642 0.622 0.632 0.01407 2.23 77.5 JNJ26067626 0.843 0.672 0.758 0.12099 15.97 96.7 JNJ26134771 0.734 0.815 0.774 0.05728 7.40 99.3 JNJ26170820 0.823 0.743 0.783 0.05699 7.28 100.6 JNJ26241917 0.871 0.874 0.872 0.00219 0.25 114.2 JNJ26714220 0.652 0.642 0.647 0.00721 1.12 79.8 JNJ26483223 0.617 0.633 0.625 0.01174 1.88 76.5 JNJ24843572 0.657 0.655 0.656 0.00134 0.20 81.2 JNJ25758863 0.684 0.809 0.746 0.08803 11.80 95.0 JNJ26067652 0.901 0.735 0.818 0.11731 14.34 106.0 JNJ26150202 0.791 0.768 0.779 0.01591 2.04 100.1 JNJ26170833 0.948 0.764 0.856 0.12982 15.17 111.7 JNJ26243204 0.821 0.608 0.714 0.15033 21.05 90.1 JNJ26399906 0.745 0.685 0.715 0.04243 5.94 90.2 JNJ26483236 0.624 0.618 0.621 0.00417 0.67 76.0 JNJ24843585 0.652 0.624 0.638 0.01916 3.00 78.5 JNJ25873419 0.773 0.662 0.718 0.07792 10.86 90.6 JNJ26069901 0.856 0.834 0.845 0.01570 1.86 110.1 JNJ26153647 0.828 0.800 0.814 0.02008 2.47 105.4 JNJ26177086 0.821 0.841 0.831 0.01421 1.71 108.0 JNJ26247143 0.816 0.787 0.802 0.02072 2.58 103.5 JNJ26399906 0.744 0.737 0.741 0.00453 0.61 94.1 JNJ26483249 0.699 0.679 0.689 0.01464 2.12 86.3 JNJ25753520 0.186 0.208 0.197 0.01541 7.83 11.3 JNJ25887537 0.665 0.699 0.682 0.02432 3.57 85.2 JNJ26077883 0.810 0.683 0.746 0.09030 12.10 95.0 JNJ26158015 0.141 0.162 0.151 0.01506 9.95 4.3 DMSO 0.784 0.605 0.695 0.12671 18.25 87.1 JNJ26248729 0.726 0.590 0.658 0.09624 14.63 81.5 JNJ26399945 0.635 0.620 0.628 0.01068 1.70 76.9 JNJ26483249 0.697 0.695 0.696 0.00113 0.16 87.3 JNJ25753403 0.154 0.153 0.154 0.00042 0.28 4.5 JNJ25900641 0.616 0.645 0.630 0.02072 3.29 82.1 JNJ22791671 0.909 0.830 0.869 0.05614 6.46 121.0 JNJ26158054 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.00028 0.19 3.9 JNJ26177762 0.981 1.056 1.018 0.05303 5.21 145.3 JNJ26261105 0.166 0.189 0.177 0.01626 9.19 8.3 JNJ26399971 0.718 0.451 0.584 0.18887 32.34 74.6 JNJ26483262 0.652 0.647 0.649 0.00389 0.60 85.2 JNJ25757173 0.503 0.529 0.516 0.01860 3.61 63.5 JNJ25900654 0.603 0.609 0.606 0.00424 0.70 78.1 JNJ26116922 0.856 0.793 0.824 0.04419 5.36 113.7 JNJ26893438 0.883 0.848 0.866 0.02503 2.89 120.5 JNJ26184457 0.779 0.784 0.781 0.00368 0.47 106.7 JNJ26361712 0.892 0.914 0.903 0.01591 1.76 126.6 JNJ26399984 0.544 0.537 0.540 0.00460 0.85 67.5 JNJ26511901 0.532 0.682 0.607 0.10543 17.37 78.3 JNJ25757173 0.665 0.645 0.655 0.01400 2.14 86.1 JNJ25900706 0.676 0.677 0.677 0.00035 0.05 89.7 JNJ26120601 0.935 0.807 0.871 0.09115 10.47 121.3 JNJ26158093 0.916 0.859 0.887 0.03981 4.49 124.0 JNJ26219050 0.907 0.891 0.899 0.01124 1.25 125.9 JNJ26361725 0.909 0.896 0.902 0.00919 1.02 126.4 JNJ26399997 0.682 0.797 0.740 0.08118 10.98 99.9 JNJ26511927 0.679 0.644 0.661 0.02510 3.80 87.2 JNJ25757238 0.300 0.223 0.261 0.05452 20.88 22.0 JNJ26047723 0.183 0.175 0.179 0.00573 3.20 8.6 JNJ26120614 0.741 0.728 0.734 0.00884 1.20 99.1 JNJ26158106 0.935 0.906 0.921 0.02051 2.23 129.4 JNJ26219063 0.131 0.128 0.129 0.00212 1.64 0.5 JNJ26366730 0.138 0.137 0.138 0.00092 0.67 1.9 JNJ26400049 0.241 0.227 0.234 0.01032 4.41 17.6 JNJ26941226 0.604 0.639 0.622 0.02475 3.98 80.7 JNJ25758707 0.247 0.182 0.215 0.04617 21.52 14.4 JNJ26054912 0.659 0.634 0.647 0.01718 2.66 84.8 JNJ26128726 0.758 0.575 0.667 0.12961 19.44 88.1 JNJ26161343 0.166 0.170 0.168 0.00276 1.64 6.9 JNJ26220454 0.651 0.559 0.605 0.06541 10.81 78.0 JNJ26367991 0.803 0.694 0.748 0.07693 10.28 101.3 JNJ26483197 0.823 0.634 0.728 0.13378 18.37 98.1 JNJ26511953 0.624 0.618 0.621 0.00431 0.69 80.6 RWJ351001 0.639 0.603 0.621 0.02553 4.11 73.6 RWJ382867 0.143 0.149 0.146 0.00403 2.76 2.9 RWJ682205 0.817 0.818 0.818 0.00071 0.09 102.8 RWJ665862 0.742 0.752 0.747 0.00679 0.91 92.2 RWJ670804 0.856 0.905 0.881 0.03479 3.95 112.1 RWJ673829 0.650 0.576 0.613 0.05268 8.59 72.4 RWJ675260 0.768 0.724 0.746 0.03097 4.15 92.2 RWJ675946 0.556 0.549 0.553 0.00537 0.97 63.4 RWJ351958 0.227 0.242 0.235 0.01103 4.70 16.1 RWJ395477 0.634 0.663 0.649 0.02044 3.15 77.7 RWJ447228 0.141 0.128 0.135 0.00919 6.83 1.3 RWJ666167 0.847 0.832 0.840 0.01110 1.32 106.0 RWJ670908 0.803 0.845 0.824 0.02998 3.64 103.7 RWJ673830 0.860 0.860 0.860 0.00035 0.04 109.1 RWJ675261 0.528 0.497 0.513 0.02227 4.34 57.5 RWJ675948 0.683 0.688 0.686 0.00332 0.48 83.1 RWJ447228 0.611 0.628 0.620 0.01202 1.94 73.3 RWJ414342 0.719 0.749 0.734 0.02143 2.92 90.3 RWJ553709 0.916 0.838 0.877 0.05487 6.26 111.6 RWJ666168 0.771 0.740 0.755 0.02178 2.88 93.5 RWJ670984 0.820 0.852 0.836 0.02305 2.76 105.5 RWJ674239 0.971 0.913 0.942 0.04137 4.39 121.2 RWJ675430 0.839 0.743 0.791 0.06746 8.53 98.8 RWJ676061 0.562 0.527 0.544 0.02440 4.48 62.2 RWJ352190 0.678 0.661 0.670 0.01195 1.78 80.8 RWJ414984 0.722 0.713 0.717 0.00658 0.92 87.9 RWJ659780 0.802 0.801 0.802 0.00106 0.13 100.4 RWJ666205 0.854 0.857 0.855 0.00205 0.24 108.4 RWJ671232 0.767 0.798 0.782 0.02157 2.76 97.5 RWJ674240 0.789 0.776 0.782 0.00870 1.11 97.5 RWJ675266 0.720 0.709 0.714 0.00764 1.07 87.4 RWJ676085 0.641 0.618 0.630 0.01619 2.57 74.9 RWJ352244 0.603 0.584 0.593 0.01372 2.31 69.4 RWJ425264 0.135 0.158 0.146 0.01633 11.18 3.0 RWJ662440 0.792 0.572 0.682 0.15563 22.83 82.6 RWJ666213 0.752 0.593 0.673 0.11292 16.79 81.2 RWJ672667 0.805 0.598 0.702 0.14644 20.87 85.5 RWJ674241 0.599 0.504 0.552 0.06682 12.11 63.2 RWJ675366 0.714 0.593 0.654 0.08549 13.08 78.4 RWJ676137 0.699 0.698 0.698 0.00099 0.14 85.0 RWJ352628 0.690 0.674 0.682 0.01131 1.66 83.3 RWJ425268 0.616 0.634 0.625 0.01301 2.08 74.8 RWJ663860 0.809 0.817 0.813 0.00552 0.68 103.0 RWJ667045 0.128 0.133 0.131 0.00361 2.76 0.7 RWJ672932 0.821 0.811 0.816 0.00721 0.88 103.4 RWJ674320 0.456 0.474 0.465 0.01223 2.63 50.8 RWJ675369 0.762 0.766 0.764 0.00304 0.40 95.7 RWJ676139 0.680 0.663 0.671 0.01195 1.78 81.8 RWJ353258 0.615 0.635 0.625 0.01400 2.24 74.8 RWJ355923 0.681 0.698 0.689 0.01266 1.84 84.5 RWJ664545 0.830 0.807 0.818 0.01584 1.94 103.8 RWJ667046 0.869 0.849 0.859 0.01442 1.68 109.9 RWJ672934 0.821 0.841 0.831 0.01428 1.72 105.7 RWJ674817 0.819 0.840 0.830 0.01485 1.79 105.5 RWJ675430 0.795 0.793 0.794 0.00078 0.10 100.1 RWJ676431 0.640 0.636 0.638 0.00283 0.44 76.7 RWJ355131 0.610 0.628 0.619 0.01266 2.05 73.9 RWJ425271 0.143 0.144 0.144 0.00035 0.25 2.6 RWJ353709 0.804 0.903 0.853 0.07000 8.20 109.0 RWJ667069 0.918 0.854 0.886 0.04483 5.06 113.9 RWJ673313 0.105 1.080 0.593 0.68971 116.37 70.0 RWJ674855 0.877 0.860 0.868 0.01209 1.39 111.3 RWJ675578 0.808 0.695 0.751 0.07941 10.57 93.8 RWJ676432 0.720 0.697 0.709 0.01648 2.33 87.3 RWJ355923 0.636 0.621 0.629 0.01054 1.68 75.4 RWJ425348 0.640 0.634 0.637 0.00474 0.74 76.6 RWJ665436 0.833 0.833 0.833 0.00000 0.00 106.0 RWJ669182 0.887 0.846 0.866 0.02934 3.39 111.0 RWJ673515 0.845 0.877 0.861 0.02326 2.70 110.2 RWJ674855 0.794 0.784 0.789 0.00686 0.87 99.4 RWJ675605 0.770 0.786 0.778 0.01138 1.46 97.8 RWJ67657 0.629 0.659 0.644 0.02128 3.30 77.7 RWJ356205 0.584 0.558 0.571 0.01817 3.18 66.8 RWJ445224 0.707 0.679 0.693 0.01987 2.87 85.0 RWJ665588 0.727 0.578 0.652 0.10536 16.15 78.9 RWJ669327 0.742 0.629 0.685 0.07969 11.63 83.8 DMSO 0.653 0.507 0.580 0.10310 17.78 68.0 RWJ675104 0.722 0.568 0.645 0.10904 16.90 77.9 RWJ675881 0.643 0.581 0.612 0.04384 7.16 72.9 RWJ676639 0.608 0.590 0.599 0.01245 2.08 70.9 JNJ26511966 0.597 0.610 0.603 0.00926 1.54 71.2 JNJ26511979 0.687 0.668 0.677 0.01336 1.97 82.4 JNJ26512005 0.840 0.832 0.836 0.00594 0.71 106.1 JNJ26533065 0.831 0.822 0.826 0.00587 0.71 104.7 JNJ26533091 0.863 0.856 0.860 0.00509 0.59 109.7 JNJ26533104 0.886 0.802 0.844 0.05954 7.05 107.3 JNJ26533156 0.753 0.687 0.720 0.04660 6.47 88.8 JNJ26714181 0.455 0.463 0.459 0.00587 1.28 49.6 JNJ26714194 0.668 0.678 0.673 0.00764 1.13 81.7 JNJ26714207 0.181 0.171 0.176 0.00658 3.74 7.2 JNJ26714220 0.832 0.842 0.837 0.00658 0.79 106.3 JNJ26875563 0.795 0.802 0.798 0.00445 0.56 100.5 JNJ22791671 0.157 0.140 0.148 0.01202 8.11 3.0 JNJ26893438 0.153 0.153 0.153 0.00035 0.23 3.7 JNJ26941226 0.168 0.154 0.161 0.00969 6.02 4.9 JNJ28572128 0.670 0.641 0.655 0.02079 3.17 79.1 RWJ67694 0.706 0.679 0.693 0.01888 2.73 84.7 RWJ676940 0.788 0.666 0.727 0.08627 11.86 89.8 RWJ677545 0.879 0.785 0.832 0.06640 7.98 105.6 RWJ678986 0.168 0.176 0.172 0.00537 3.13 6.6 RWJ680665 0.946 0.848 0.897 0.06972 7.77 115.3 RWJ680667 0.187 0.202 0.194 0.01089 5.61 9.9 RWJ680668 0.906 0.688 0.797 0.15394 19.31 100.3 RWJ680669 0.715 0.674 0.694 0.02850 4.10 84.9 RWJ680858 0.695 0.700 0.697 0.00339 0.49 85.3 RWJ680858 0.665 0.631 0.648 0.02369 3.66 78.0 RWJ680879 0.590 0.613 0.601 0.01655 2.75 71.0 RWJ680885 0.681 0.687 0.684 0.00382 0.56 83.3 RWJ680991 0.829 0.821 0.825 0.00530 0.64 104.5 RWJ680992 0.822 0.790 0.806 0.02270 2.82 101.6 RWJ680993 0.671 0.684 0.677 0.00912 1.35 82.3 RWJ681140 0.686 0.668 0.677 0.01266 1.87 82.3 RWJ681142 0.212 0.197 0.204 0.01047 5.12 11.5 RWJ681146 0.666 0.666 0.666 0.00007 0.01 80.7 RWJ681945 0.736 0.656 0.696 0.05643 8.11 85.1 RWJ68198 0.726 0.610 0.668 0.08217 12.30 81.0 JNJ28850601 0.303 0.310 0.306 0.00488 1.59 26.7 DMSO 0.786 0.659 0.722 0.09001 12.46 89.1 DMSO 0.673 0.649 0.661 0.01676 2.53 79.9 DMSO 0.701 0.686 0.693 0.01011 1.46 84.8

TABLE III Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the Viability of Cells Expressing Pluripotency Markers. cmpd conc Raw data (μM) (duplicate) Average S.D. % CV % Control EXPRES 01 medium 0.6379 0.6180 0.6280 0.0141 2.2 74.6 no treatment 0.7412 0.7038 0.7225 0.0264 3.7 88.7 AA only 0.7674 0.8047 0.7861 0.0264 3.4 98.3 AA + Wnt3a 0.7754 0.8200 0.7977 0.0315 4.0 100.0 JNJ26512005 10 0.1412 0.1515 0.1464 0.0073 5.0 2.4 JNJ26512005 5 0.1501 0.1444 0.1473 0.0040 2.7 2.5 JNJ26512005 2.5 0.1541 0.4254 0.2898 0.1918 66.2 23.9 JNJ26533065 10 0.1272 0.1282 0.1277 0.0007 0.6 −0.4 JNJ26533065 5 0.5862 0.5880 0.5871 0.0013 0.2 68.4 JNJ26533065 2.5 0.7613 0.7603 0.7608 0.0007 0.1 94.5 JNJ26533156 10 0.1481 0.1592 0.1537 0.0078 5.1 3.5 JNJ26533156 5 0.1479 0.1639 0.1559 0.0113 7.3 3.8 JNJ26533156 2.5 0.2861 0.2477 0.2669 0.0272 10.2 20.4 JNJ26714194 10 0.2092 0.2426 0.2259 0.0236 10.5 14.3 JNJ26714194 5 0.6815 0.7128 0.6972 0.0221 3.2 84.9 JNJ26714194 2.5 0.7389 0.7870 0.7630 0.0340 4.5 94.8 JNJ26150202 10 0.1381 0.1398 0.1390 0.0012 0.9 1.3 JNJ26150202 5 0.7826 0.7578 0.7702 0.0175 2.3 95.9 JNJ26150202 2.5 0.8231 0.7742 0.7987 0.0346 4.3 100.1 JNJ26158015 10 0.1352 0.1326 0.1339 0.0018 1.4 0.5 JNJ26158015 5 0.2632 0.2604 0.2618 0.0020 0.8 19.7 JNJ26158015 2.5 0.4160 0.5314 0.4737 0.0816 17.2 51.4 RWJ670804 10 0.4447 0.4791 0.4619 0.0243 5.3 49.7 RWJ670804 5 0.6902 0.6884 0.6893 0.0013 0.2 83.8 RWJ670804 2.5 0.7476 0.7483 0.7480 0.0005 0.1 92.5 JNJ26170833 10 0.6790 0.6704 0.6747 0.0061 0.9 81.6 JNJ26170833 5 0.7833 0.7924 0.7879 0.0064 0.8 98.5 JNJ26170833 2.5 0.8155 0.8389 0.8272 0.0165 2.0 104.4 JNJ26177086 10 0.6533 0.6884 0.6709 0.0248 3.7 81.0 JNJ26177086 5 0.7697 0.7738 0.7718 0.0029 0.4 96.1 JNJ26177086 2.5 0.8119 0.8219 0.8169 0.0071 0.9 102.9 JNJ26177762 10 0.1242 0.1323 0.1283 0.0057 4.5 −0.4 JNJ26177762 5 0.1263 0.1303 0.1283 0.0028 2.2 −0.3 JNJ26177762 2.5 0.8480 0.7725 0.8103 0.0534 6.6 101.9 RWJ673515 10 0.1695 0.1890 0.1793 0.0138 7.7 7.3 RWJ673515 5 0.7217 0.7435 0.7326 0.0154 2.1 90.2 RWJ673515 2.5 0.7812 0.7221 0.7517 0.0418 5.6 93.1 EXPRES 01 medium 0.6294 0.6363 0.6329 0.0049 0.8 70.3 no treatment 0.7156 0.7356 0.7256 0.0141 1.9 83.3 AA only 0.8732 0.9046 0.8889 0.0222 2.5 106.0 AA + Wnt3a 0.8415 0.8500 0.8458 0.0060 0.7 100.0 JNJ19370026 10 0.1403 0.1493 0.1448 0.0064 4.4 2.3 JNJ19370026 5 0.4434 0.3878 0.4156 0.0393 9.5 40.1 JNJ19370026 2.5 0.7734 0.8038 0.7886 0.0215 2.7 92.0 JNJ26483197 10 0.2993 0.3026 0.3010 0.0023 0.8 24.1 JNJ26483197 5 0.7023 0.6299 0.6661 0.0512 7.7 75.0 JNJ26483197 2.5 0.7835 0.8043 0.7939 0.0147 1.9 92.8 RWJ675605 10 0.7205 0.7369 0.7287 0.0116 1.6 83.7 RWJ675605 5 0.7769 0.8272 0.8021 0.0356 4.4 93.9 RWJ675605 2.5 0.8214 0.8640 0.8427 0.0301 3.6 99.6 RWJ675430 10 0.6275 0.5980 0.6128 0.0209 3.4 67.5 RWJ675430 5 0.7159 0.7222 0.7191 0.0045 0.6 82.3 RWJ675430 2.5 0.9245 0.9403 0.9324 0.0112 1.2 112.1 RWJ675948 10 0.7220 0.6670 0.6945 0.0389 5.6 78.9 RWJ675948 5 0.7526 0.7486 0.7506 0.0028 0.4 86.7 RWJ675948 2.5 0.7557 0.7390 0.7474 0.0118 1.6 86.3 JNJ26483249 10 0.8214 0.8636 0.8425 0.0298 3.5 99.5 JNJ26483249 5 0.7996 0.7873 0.7935 0.0087 1.1 92.7 JNJ26483249 2.5 0.8669 0.8195 0.8432 0.0335 4.0 99.6 RWJ67657 10 0.6195 0.5908 0.6052 0.0203 3.4 66.5 RWJ67657 5 0.8047 0.8319 0.8183 0.0192 2.4 96.2 RWJ67657 2.5 0.8041 0.7900 0.7971 0.0100 1.3 93.2 RWJ676639 10 0.1261 0.1520 0.1391 0.0183 13.2 1.5 RWJ676639 5 0.1303 0.1263 0.1283 0.0028 2.2 0.0 RWJ676639 2.5 0.4482 0.4051 0.4267 0.0305 7.1 41.6

TABLE IV Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the differentiation and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells. Proliferative Response SOX-17 Expression Proliferative Response HNF-3b Expression Compound Fold over Wnt Total Fold over Wnt Fold over Wnt Fold over Wnt name Total cells 3a/AA control Intensity 3a/AA control Total cells 3a/AA control Total Intensity 3a/AA control JNJ26511966 1723 0.11244207 68870409 0.0708 1645 0.10460717 50143628 0.0453 JNJ26511979 1110 0.07245904 42978557 0.0442 94 0.00597755 0 0.0000 JNJ26512005 7990 0.52154188 339840000 0.3494 6833 0.43448539 231745000 0.2092 JNJ26533065 4914 0.32074548 238555000 0.2453 2907 0.18485899 82808745 0.0747 JNJ26533091 3056 0.19945819 153145000 0.1575 2643 0.16807097 122246784 0.1103 JNJ26533104 3960 0.25850251 47669463 0.0490 4641 0.29512575 210730000 0.1902 JNJ26533156 12243 0.79917096 699160000 0.7189 6536 0.41559887 248855000 0.2246 JNJ26714181 401 0.02614400 25580022 0.0263 27 0.00168516 0 0.0000 JNJ26714194 7958 0.51948561 351070000 0.3610 6992 0.44459636 288075000 0.2600 JNJ26714207 277 0.01808212 6558563 0.0067 12 0.00073130 535481 0.0005 JNJ26714220 1327 0.08662445 69037756 0.0710 1194 0.07589584 40478497 0.0365 JNJ26875563 791 0.05160259 24732475 0.0254 64 0.00406982 1092011 0.0010 JNJ22791671 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 3 0.00019077 95784 0.0001 JNJ26893438 2 0.00013056 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 JNJ26941226 6 0.00035903 1092432 0.0011 2 0.00009539 150222 0.0001 JNJ28572128 2742 0.17899341 122926199 0.1264 3166 0.20132905 120729987 0.1090 JNJ28850601 33 0.00212155 3855900 0.0040 8 0.00050873 208129 0.0002 RWJ674817 2000 0.13055682 110080123 0.1132 116 0.00737655 4290889 0.0039 RWJ674855 3495 0.22814805 110559816 0.1137 438 0.02782105 24450647 0.0221 RWJ674855 3107 0.20278739 120998421 0.1244 6177 0.39276971 273965000 0.2473 RWJ675104 658 0.04295320 37841044 0.0389 646 0.04107977 31352380 0.0283 RWJ675260 5991 0.39108297 252690000 0.2598 8479 0.53915615 306520000 0.2767 RWJ675261 1953 0.12745610 88653625 0.0912 641 0.04076182 18162585 0.0164 RWJ675266 2024 0.13209087 128395000 0.1320 4923 0.31302661 232020000 0.2094 RWJ675366 2979 0.19446439 93454696 0.0961 3582 0.22775110 137054653 0.1237 RWJ675369 3703 0.24169332 138180000 0.1421 3980 0.25306032 139550000 0.1260 RWJ675430 21070 1.37538351 1089750000 1.1205 21203 1.34831961 1281000000 1.1562 RWJ675578 1297 0.08466610 47445962 0.0488 30 0.00190773 0 0.0000 RWJ675605 14529 0.94839741 1013360000 1.0419 9871 0.62767480 540725000 0.4881 RWJ675881 4063 0.26522619 207891758 0.2137 3973 0.25264697 177190000 0.1599 RWJ675946 1 0.00006528 0 0.0000 7 0.00041334 0 0.0000 RWJ675948 9716 0.63421242 572520000 0.5887 7650 0.48643922 329425000 0.2973 RWJ676061 916 0.05979503 0 0.0000 1076 0.06839210 40211776 0.0363 RWJ676085 738 0.04817547 30943000 0.0318 503 0.03198626 0 0.0000 RWJ676137 8367 0.54618448 373185000 0.3837 7976 0.50720168 260000000 0.2347 RWJ676139 20079 1.31069260 1104750000 1.1359 16884 1.07363836 1052345000 0.9499 RWJ676431 13789 0.90012403 789085000 0.8113 11369 0.72296588 547055000 0.4938 RWJ676432 16652 1.08698348 1045395000 1.0749 14950 0.95065340 854325000 0.7711 RWJ676657 6376 0.41618252 324450000 0.3336 6058 0.38523417 269025000 0.2428 RWJ676639 6470 0.42231869 327055000 0.3363 4357 0.27706591 109160000 0.0985 RWJ674817 2000 0.13055682 110080123 0.1132 116 0.00737655 4290889 0.0039 RWJ674855 3495 0.22814805 110559816 0.1137 438 0.02782105 24450647 0.0221 RWJ674855 3107 0.20278739 120998421 0.1244 6177 0.39276971 273965000 0.2473 RWJ675104 658 0.04295320 37841044 0.0389 646 0.04107977 31352380 0.0283 RWJ675260 5991 0.39108297 252690000 0.2598 8479 0.53915615 306520000 0.2767 RWJ675261 1953 0.12745610 88653625 0.0912 641 0.04076182 18162585 0.0164 RWJ675266 2024 0.13209087 128395000 0.1320 4923 0.31302661 232020000 0.2094 RWJ675366 2979 0.19446439 93454696 0.0961 3582 0.22775110 137054653 0.1237 RWJ675369 3703 0.24169332 138180000 0.1421 3980 0.25306032 139550000 0.1260 RWJ675430 21070 1.37538351 1089750000 1.1205 21203 1.34831961 1281000000 1.1562 RWJ675578 1297 0.08466610 47445962 0.0488 30 0.00190773 0 0.0000 RWJ675605 14529 0.94839741 1013360000 1.0419 9871 0.62767480 540725000 0.4881 RWJ675881 4063 0.26522619 207891758 0.2137 3973 0.25264697 177190000 0.1599 RWJ675946 1 0.00006528 0 0.0000 7 0.00041334 0 0.0000 RWJ675948 9716 0.63421242 572520000 0.5887 7650 0.48643922 329425000 0.2973 RWJ676061 916 0.05979503 0 0.0000 1076 0.06839210 40211776 0.0363 RWJ676085 738 0.04817547 30943000 0.0318 503 0.03198626 0 0.0000 RWJ676137 8367 0.54618448 373185000 0.3837 7976 0.50720168 260000000 0.2347 RWJ676139 20079 1.31069260 1104750000 1.1359 16884 1.07363836 1052345000 0.9499 RWJ676431 13789 0.90012403 789085000 0.8113 11369 0.72296588 547055000 0.4938 RWJ676432 16652 1.08698348 1045395000 1.0749 14950 0.95065340 854325000 0.7711 RWJ67657 6376 0.41618252 324450000 0.3336 6058 0.38523417 269025000 0.2428 RWJ676639 6470 0.42231869 327055000 0.3363 4357 0.27706591 109160000 0.0985 No treatment 3891 0.25396566 97657703 0.1004 6091 0.38733268 109336609 0.0987 AA 4348 0.28379790 104735084 0.1077 122 0.00775810 5341271 0.0048 AA/3a 15319 1.00000000 972595000 1.0000 15726 1.00000000 1107900000 1.0000 RWJ351001 738 0.44211577 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ351958 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 DMSO 56 0.03353293 454796 0.0148 211 0.16644754 4455058 0.1626 RWJ352190 1313 0.78642715 28506437 0.9266 5485 4.32684722 85245671 3.1115 RWJ352244 12 0.00738523 85949 0.0028 67 0.05259006 1300640 0.0475 RWJ352628 2899 1.73612774 32703235 1.0630 7460 5.88456482 149772525 5.4668 RWJ353258 562 0.33632735 11388240 0.3702 787 0.62108861 10743082 0.3921 RWJ355131 118 0.07045908 2574279 0.0837 57 0.04522745 2584708 0.0943 RWJ355923 136 0.08163673 410648 0.0133 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ356205 19 0.01137725 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ382867 3 0.00159681 431883 0.0140 31 0.02419143 847186 0.0309 RWJ395477 33 0.01976048 0 0.0000 225 0.17749145 5223879 0.1907 RWJ414342 16 0.00978044 0 0.0000 496 0.39127005 8966327 0.3273 RWJ414984 26 0.01556886 459801 0.0149 189 0.14935577 1819533 0.0664 RWJ425264 1 0.00039920 0 0.0000 42 0.03339469 1605538 0.0586 RWJ425268 22 0.01297405 82062 0.0027 311 0.24506968 5749996 0.2099 RWJ425271 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ425348 26 0.01556886 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ445224 202 0.12095808 627280 0.0204 1079 0.85143308 14326715 0.5229 RWJ447228 3 0.00179641 0 0.0000 4 0.00315540 101114 0.0037 RWJ553709 1310 0.78423154 24382455 0.7926 3249 2.56323955 75834631 2.7680 RWJ659780 20 0.01177645 0 0.0000 425 0.33526164 8880858 0.3242 RWJ663860 9 0.00538922 37140 0.0012 134 0.10570602 2144545 0.0783 RWJ662440 7 0.00419162 48154 0.0016 5 0.00420720 170177 0.0062 RWJ664545 70 0.04191617 589594 0.0192 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ665436 1215 0.72774451 7568849 0.2460 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 no Treatment 1145 0.68542914 6979814 0.2269 not done AA 100 0.05988024 1264807 0.0411 51 0.04049435 923625 0.0337 AA/3a 1670 1.00000000 30764293 1.0000 1268 1.00000000 27396787 1.0000 RWJ665588 43 0.00510815 706614 0.0055 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ665862 7 0.00079815 102445 0.0008 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ666167 46 0.00546732 0 0.0000 46 0.00548446 818478 0.0044 RWJ666168 5 0.00059861 284777 0.0022 32 0.00385502 2309043 0.0124 RWJ666205 258 0.03092825 4009395 0.0312 391 0.04665766 14340307 0.0769 RWJ666213 62 0.00742278 782261 0.0061 112 0.01335347 2792473 0.0150 RWJ667045 36 0.00431000 312039 0.0024 2 0.00027820 1731575 0.0093 RWJ667046 59 0.00702371 397711 0.0031 103 0.01232017 3561761 0.0191 RWJ667069 22 0.00267380 770128 0.0060 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ669182 77 0.00925852 1631067 0.0127 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ669327 129 0.01540426 997629 0.0078 98 0.01164454 4138261 0.0222 RWJ670804 2386 0.28565728 20866647 0.1625 2594 0.30931563 61161468 0.3280 RWJ670908 172 0.02063213 625299 0.0049 133 0.01589699 3578458 0.0192 RWJ670984 8 0.00099769 394948 0.0031 530 0.06319053 16678849 0.0894 RWJ671232 17 0.00207519 0 0.0000 53 0.00627931 2270954 0.0122 RWJ672667 11 0.00127704 0 0.0000 36 0.00433193 2287281 0.0123 RWJ672932 2 0.00023944 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ672934 174 0.02087158 1451727 0.0113 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ673313 80 0.00961769 940367 0.0073 333 0.03970273 5586343 0.0300 RWJ673515 11886 1.42305850 223646667 1.7415 10331 1.23173834 309900000 1.6618 RWJ673829 545 0.06524862 5849381 0.0455 404 0.04820761 6738305 0.0361 RWJ673830 10 0.00115732 315367 0.0025 35 0.00421270 3072013 0.0165 RWJ674239 2473 0.29603320 80676667 0.6282 4209 0.50182815 143916667 0.7718 RWJ674240 8 0.00091787 233687 0.0018 6 0.00071536 0 0.0000 RWJ674241 1 0.00007981 1309298 0.0102 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 RWJ674320 0 0.00003991 0 0.0000 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 No treatment 7653 0.91619443 26272707 0.2046 12050 1.43665050 74453588 0.3993 AA 15 0.00175593 0 0.0000 210 0.02503776 3777945 0.0203 AA/3a 8353 1.00000000 128424304 1.0000 8387 1.00000000 186480000 1.0000 RWJ355923 7319 0.91843393 387695000 1.0342 5436 1.07644321 437495000 0.9520 RWJ664545 6620 0.83065629 333205000 0.8889 4767 0.94395485 397435000 0.8649 RWJ353709 6217 0.78014807 337920000 0.9014 5013 0.99277156 437235000 0.9515 reference 5934 0.74463546 363935000 0.9708 4122 0.81621943 348135000 0.7576 cmpd JNJ18157698 10447 1.31089221 382680000 1.0208 6908 1.36805624 560475000 1.2196 JNJ5226780 10963 1.37570586 296920000 0.7921 5679 1.12456679 463525000 1.0087 JNJ7830433 1766 0.22160873 162790000 0.4343 2184 0.43241905 189875000 0.4132 JNJ8706646 2914 0.36566696 230965000 0.6161 2776 0.54975740 125125000 0.2723 JNJ8710481 3600 0.45175053 276080000 0.7365 4121 0.81612041 294665000 0.6412 JNJ8710481 1977 0.24808633 164760000 0.4395 2266 0.44865828 152060000 0.3309 JNJ10148307 9964.5 1.25040783 363855000 0.9706 9728 1.92642836 635655000 1.3832 JNJ10164830 2536.5 0.31829590 179185000 0.4780 2397 0.47460145 150600000 0.3277 JNJ10164895 5706.5 0.71608734 319930000 0.8534 5096 1.00920883 341360000 0.7428 JNJ10172058 4645.5 0.58294642 257295000 0.6864 4507 0.89256362 312605000 0.6803 JNJ10178727 2892.5 0.36296900 213165000 0.5686 3043 0.60253490 269570000 0.5866 JNJ10179026 2460.5 0.30875894 203350000 0.5425 2410 0.47727498 209795000 0.4565 JNJ10179130 4783 0.60020078 306085000 0.8165 4556 0.90226755 326475000 0.7104 JNJ10182562 6916.5 0.86792571 377885000 1.0080 4504 0.89196950 365090000 0.7945 JNJ10182562 7370.5 0.92489647 365075000 0.9739 5300 1.04950985 399265000 0.8688 JNJ10184655 10533 1.32174677 475250000 1.2678 5186 1.02693336 404710000 0.8807 JNJ10222784 3513 0.44083323 242750000 0.6476 2522 0.49945539 214575000 0.4669 No treatment not done not done AA not done not done AA/3a 7969 1.00000000 374870000 1.0000 5050 1.00000000 459540000 1.0000 JNJ10222784 563 0.31250000 57351132 0.3295 1744 0.03386884 165365000 1.1010 JNJ10222927 158 0.08777778 14786632 0.0850 83 0.00161234 14201404 0.0946 JNJ10231273 3 0.00166667 0 0.0000 4 0.00007770 28439 0.0002 JNJ10259847 5 0.00277778 0 0.0000 10 0.00019426 0 0.0000 JNJ10259847 15 0.00805556 548982 0.0032 0 0.00000000 0 0.0000 JNJ17154215 24 0.01305556 689535 0.0040 11 0.00021368 0 0.0000 JNJ17154215 94 0.05194444 11142426 0.0640 12 0.00022340 1767033 0.0118 JNJ17157659 15 0.00805556 0 0.0000 21 0.00039823 4567590 0.0304 JNJ17163042 33 0.01805556 2188847 0.0126 69 0.00134038 13689421 0.0911 JNJ10166565 4 0.00194444 0 0.0000 3 0.00005828 291660 0.0019 JNJ17174664 88 0.04888889 7121122 0.0409 399 0.00774117 65100086 0.4335 JNJ17187027 11 0.00583333 1073763 0.0062 5 0.00008742 0 0.0000 JNJ17187053 8 0.00444444 0 0.0000 9 0.00016512 0 0.0000 JNJ17193774 109 0.06027778 15714170 0.0903 136 0.00263219 15725984 0.1047 JNJ17200976 5 0.00250000 125443 0.0007 5 0.00009713 0 0.0000 JNJ17205955 20 0.01083333 3135653 0.0180 8 0.00015541 0 0.0000 JNJ17205955 9 0.00472222 72387 0.0004 17 0.00033024 736311 0.0049 JNJ17205994 6 0.00305556 644015 0.0037 4 0.00007770 0 0.0000 JNJ17226703 77 0.04277778 12632849 0.0726 28 0.00054392 9312311 0.0620 JNJ17982133 14 0.00750000 887585 0.0051 1 0.00001943 52047 0.0003 JNJ17989049 23 0.01277778 2117429 0.0122 13 0.00024282 0 0.0000 No treatment not done 432 0.00838222 42987388 0.2862 AA 147 0.08138889 20330009 0.1168 8 0.00014569 87206 0.0006 AA/3a 1800 1.00000000 174052346 1.0000 1478 0.02870158 150190000 1.0000

TABLE V Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the differentiation and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells. Compound name Fold over Wnt 3a/AA control Proliferative Response - Strong Hits RWJ352628 5.8846 RWJ352190 4.3268 RWJ553709 2.5632 JNJ10148307 1.9264 RWJ673515 1.4231 JNJ5226780 1.3757 RWJ675430 1.3754 JNJ18157698 1.3681 JNJ10184655 1.3217 RWJ676139 1.3107 Proliferative Response - Moderate Hits JNJ5226780 1.1246 RWJ676432 1.0870 RWJ355923 1.0764 RWJ676139 1.0735 JNJ10182562 1.0495 JNJ10184655 1.0269 JNJ10164895 1.0092 RWJ353709 0.9928 RWJ675605 0.9484 RWJ664545 0.9440 JNJ10182562 0.9249 JMJ10179130 0.9023 RWJ676431 0.9001 JNJ10172058 0.8926 RWJ445224 0.8514 reference cmpd 0.8162 JNJ8710481 0.8161 JNJ26533156 0.7992 RWJ352190 0.7864 RWJ553709 0.7842 RWJ665436 0.7277 RWJ675948 0.6342 RWJ353258 0.6211 JNJ10178727 0.6025 SOX17 Expression - Strong Hits RWJ673515 1.7415 JNJ10184655 1.2678 SOX17 Expression - Moderate Hits RWJ676139 1.1359 RWJ675430 1.1205 RWJ676432 1.0749 RWJ352628 1.0630 RWJ675605 1.0419 RWJ355923 1.0342 JNJ18157698 1.0208 JNJ10182562 1.0080 reference cmpd 0.9708 JNJ10148307 0.9706 RWJ352190 0.9266 RWJ353709 0.9014 RWJ664545 0.8889 JNJ10164895 0.8534 JNJ10179130 0.8165 RWJ676431 0.8113 RWJ553709 0.7926 JNJ5226780 0.7921 JNJ8710481 0.7365 JNJ26533156 0.7189 JNJ10172058 0.6864 JNJ10222784 0.6476 RWJ674239 0.6282 JNJ8706646 0.6161 RWJ675948 0.5887 JNJ10178727 0.5686 HNF3β Expression - Strong Hits RWJ352628 5.4668 RWJ352190 3.1115 RWJ553709 2.7680 RWJ673515 1.6618 JNJ10148307 1.3832 JNJ18157698 1.2196 HNF3b Expression - Moderate Hits RWJ675430 1.1562 JNJ10222784 1.1010 JNJ5226780 1.0087 RWJ355923 0.9520 RWJ353709 0.9515 RWJ676139 0.9499 JNJ10184655 0.8807 JNJ10182562 0.8688 RWJ664545 0.8649 RWJ674239 0.7718 RWJ676432 0.7711 reference cmpd 0.7576 JNJ10164895 0.7428 JNJ10179130 0.7104 JNJ10172058 0.6803 JNJ8710481 0.6412 JNJ10178727 0.5866

TABLE VI Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells. JNJ number Raw Data Average S.D. % CV % Control conditioned medium 1.1348 1.0099 1.1092 1.0846 0.0660 6.1 116.5 no treatment 0.9344 0.5977 0.8454 0.7925 0.1745 22.0 85.2 AA/DMSO 0.3878 0.2434 0.2252 0.2855 0.0891 31.2 30.7 AA/Wnt3a/DMSO 0.6098 1.0804 0.7635 0.8179 0.2403 25.8 100.0 RWJ351001 0.3418 0.4276 0.5751 0.4482 0.1180 26.3 48.2 RWJ351958 0.1362 0.1531 0.1532 0.1475 0.0098 6.6 15.8 RWJ352190 1.3764 1.2753 1.3208 1.3242 0.0506 3.8 142.3 RWJ352244 0.6923 0.5994 0.6134 0.6350 0.0501 7.9 68.2 RWJ352628 1.7896 1.4721 2.1908 1.8175 0.3602 19.8 195.3 RWJ353258 1.7591 1.6274 1.6518 1.6794 0.0701 4.2 180.4 RWJ355131 0.3702 0.3193 0.3368 0.3421 0.0259 7.6 36.8 RWJ355923 0.5876 0.6384 0.9154 0.7138 0.1764 24.7 76.7 RWJ356205 0.3074 0.2328 0.2920 0.2774 0.0394 14.2 29.8 RWJ382867 0.1311 0.1245 0.1288 0.1281 0.0034 2.6 13.8 RWJ395477 0.1270 0.2778 0.1916 0.1988 0.0757 38.1 21.4 RWJ414342 0.2166 0.3062 0.2915 0.2714 0.0481 17.7 29.2 RWJ414984 0.4362 0.3728 0.2481 0.3524 0.0957 27.2 37.9 RWJ425264 0.1560 0.1481 0.1359 0.1467 0.0101 6.9 15.8 RWJ425268 0.2932 0.3883 0.6258 0.4358 0.1713 39.3 46.8 RWJ425271 0.1362 0.1479 0.1298 0.1380 0.0092 6.7 14.8 RWJ425348 0.2198 0.2159 0.2300 0.2219 0.0073 3.3 23.8 RWJ445224 0.7624 0.2705 0.2478 0.4269 0.2908 68.1 45.9 RWJ447228 0.1239 0.1233 0.1269 0.1247 0.0019 1.5 13.4 RWJ553709 0.1277 0.1254 0.6980 0.3170 0.3299 104.1 34.1 RWJ659780 0.2665 0.3215 0.2605 0.2828 0.0336 11.9 30.4 RWJ662440 0.2395 0.3235 0.1333 0.2321 0.0953 41.1 24.9 RWJ663860 0.2646 0.1873 0.1293 0.1937 0.0679 35.0 20.8 RWJ664545 0.3590 0.2790 0.1515 0.2632 0.1047 39.8 28.3 RWJ665436 0.4690 0.5805 0.3349 0.4615 0.1230 26.6 49.6 conditioned medium 1.1525 1.1269 1.1140 1.1311 0.0196 1.7 71.0 no treatment 1.2057 1.2358 1.3132 1.2516 0.0555 4.4 78.6 AA/DMSO 0.2622 0.2073 0.2830 0.2508 0.0391 15.6 15.8 AA/Wnt3a/DMSO 1.3943 1.7976 1.8000 1.5922 0.2136 13.4 100.0 RWJ665588 0.1930 0.2223 0.2167 0.2107 0.0156 7.4 13.2 RWJ665862 0.1757 0.1813 0.1835 0.1802 0.0040 2.2 11.3 RWJ666167 0.1473 0.1880 0.1732 0.1695 0.0206 12.2 10.6 RWJ666168 0.1330 0.1362 0.1867 0.1520 0.0301 19.8 9.5 RWJ666205 0.8191 0.5493 0.6526 0.6737 0.1361 20.2 42.3 RWJ666213 0.4008 0.2779 0.3869 0.3552 0.0673 18.9 22.3 RWJ667045 0.1220 0.1248 0.1251 0.1240 0.0017 1.4 7.8 RWJ667046 0.2883 0.3308 0.5503 0.3898 0.1406 36.1 24.5 RWJ667069 0.2835 0.4024 0.5698 0.4186 0.1438 34.4 26.3 RWJ669182 0.3704 0.6073 0.5280 0.5019 0.1206 24.0 31.5 RWJ669327 0.2266 0.1815 0.2289 0.2123 0.0267 12.6 13.3 RWJ670804 1.0820 1.1862 1.1076 1.1253 0.0543 4.8 70.7 RWJ670908 0.3590 0.5457 0.6123 0.5057 0.1313 26.0 31.8 RWJ670984 0.2198 0.3564 0.3202 0.2988 0.0708 23.7 18.8 RWJ671232 0.2928 0.2920 0.3659 0.3169 0.0424 13.4 19.9 RWJ672667 0.3349 0.3013 0.3507 0.3290 0.0252 7.7 20.7 RWJ672932 0.1852 0.1924 0.2349 0.2042 0.0269 13.2 12.8 RWJ672934 0.2170 0.3003 0.1877 0.2350 0.0584 24.9 14.8 RWJ673313 0.3094 0.2515 0.1881 0.2497 0.0607 24.3 15.7 RWJ673515 1.8452 1.7710 1.5591 1.7251 0.1485 8.6 108.3 RWJ673829 0.7305 0.7067 0.6250 0.6874 0.0553 8.0 43.2 RWJ673830 0.2113 0.1800 0.1547 0.1820 0.0284 15.6 11.4 RWJ674239 1.5225 1.5912 0.1081 1.0739 0.8371 78.0 67.4 RWJ674240 0.4006 1.2807 0.1162 0.5992 0.6071 101.3 37.6 RWJ674241 0.1972 0.1839 0.1162 0.1658 0.0434 26.2 10.4 RWJ674320 0.1351 0.1318 0.1169 0.1279 0.0097 7.6 8.0 conditioned medium 1.0568 1.0604 1.0586 0.0025 0.2 71.9 no treatment 1.1544 0.9576 1.0560 0.1392 13.2 71.7 AA only + DMSO 0.6329 0.8434 0.7382 0.1488 20.2 47.1 AA + Wnt3a + DMSO 1.2704 1.8669 1.4229 0.2960 20.8 100.0 RWJ674817 0.5617 0.2098 0.3858 0.2488 64.5 19.9 RWJ674855 0.6850 0.5853 0.6352 0.0705 11.1 39.2 RWJ674855 0.7496 0.9187 0.8342 0.1196 14.3 54.5 RWJ675104 0.2320 0.2124 0.2222 0.0139 6.2 7.3 RWJ675260 0.8079 1.4391 1.1235 0.4463 39.7 76.9 RWJ675261 0.8310 0.7318 0.7814 0.0701 9.0 50.5 RWJ675266 1.0646 1.1384 1.1015 0.0522 4.7 75.2 RWJ675366 0.6344 1.0400 0.8372 0.2868 34.3 54.8 no cells 0.1335 0.2070 0.1703 0.0520 30.5 3.3 RWJ675369 0.8643 0.4060 0.6352 0.3241 51.0 39.2 RWJ675430 1.7922 1.8533 1.8228 0.0432 2.4 130.9 RWJ675578 0.1914 0.2371 0.2143 0.0323 15.1 6.7 RWJ675605 1.8401 1.7563 1.7982 0.0593 3.3 129.0 RWJ675881 1.0301 1.0356 1.0329 0.0039 0.4 69.9 RWJ675946 0.1306 0.1338 0.1322 0.0023 1.7 0.3 RWJ675948 1.7143 1.6506 1.6825 0.0450 2.7 120.0 RWJ676061 0.4170 0.4956 0.4563 0.0556 12.2 25.4 RWJ676085 0.1772 0.2348 0.2060 0.0407 19.8 6.0 RWJ676137 1.0231 1.2392 1.1312 0.1528 13.5 77.5 RWJ676139 1.9718 2.0997 2.0358 0.0904 4.4 147.3 RWJ676431 1.5168 1.6872 1.6020 0.1205 7.5 113.8 RWJ676432 1.6935 1.9710 1.8323 0.1962 10.7 131.6 RWJ67657 1.2655 1.1829 1.2242 0.0584 4.8 84.7 RWJ676639 1.3481 1.3168 1.3325 0.0221 1.7 93.0 JNJ26511966 0.6444 0.7239 0.6842 0.0562 8.2 43.0 JNJ26511979 0.2046 0.3076 0.2561 0.0728 28.4 9.9 JNJ26512005 1.3627 1.0693 1.2160 0.2075 17.1 84.0 JNJ26533065 0.8722 0.9660 0.9191 0.0663 7.2 61.1 JNJ26533091 1.0332 0.4554 0.7443 0.4086 54.9 47.6 JNJ26533104 0.8775 0.7347 0.8061 0.1010 12.5 52.4 JNJ26533156 1.7865 1.2008 1.4937 0.4142 27.7 105.5 JNJ26714181 0.2396 0.1584 0.1990 0.0574 28.9 5.5 JNJ26714194 0.8122 1.0827 0.9475 0.1913 20.2 63.3 JNJ26714207 0.1342 0.1363 0.1353 0.0015 1.1 0.6 JNJ26714220 1.0462 0.5838 0.8150 0.3270 40.1 53.1 JNJ26875563 0.4586 0.2903 0.3745 0.1190 31.8 19.0 JNJ22791671 0.1277 0.1402 0.1340 0.0088 6.6 0.5 JNJ26893438 0.1258 0.1324 0.1291 0.0047 3.6 0.1 JNJ26941226 0.1219 0.1216 0.1218 0.0002 0.2 −0.5 JNJ28572128 0.4223 0.4721 0.4472 0.0352 7.9 24.7 JNJ28850601 0.1514 0.1396 0.1455 0.0083 5.7 1.4 conditioned medium 0.7423 0.7081 0.7252 0.0242 3.3 87.7 no treatment 0.4936 0.5689 0.5313 0.0532 10.0 59.8 AA only + DMSO 0.1433 0.1939 0.1686 0.0358 21.2 7.6 AA + Wnt3a + DMSO 0.6808 0.9406 0.8107 0.1837 22.7 100.0 JNJ17994873 0.2447 0.1331 0.1889 0.0789 41.8 10.6 JNJ17994899 0.1537 0.1302 0.1420 0.0166 11.7 3.8 no cells 0.1163 0.1147 0.1155 0.0011 1.0 0.0 JNJ17994912 0.2994 0.2592 0.2793 0.0284 10.2 23.6 JNJ17994925 0.1353 0.2121 0.1737 0.0543 31.3 8.4 JNJ180125 0.1267 0.1419 0.1343 0.0107 8.0 2.7 JNJ18014061 0.1376 0.1676 0.1526 0.0212 13.9 5.3 JNJ18014074 0.1134 0.1103 0.1119 0.0022 2.0 −0.5 JNJ18018338 0.1318 0.1478 0.1398 0.0113 8.1 3.5 JNJ18018351 0.2569 0.2124 0.2347 0.0315 13.4 17.1 JNJ18047991 0.2674 0.2636 0.2655 0.0027 1.0 21.6 JNJ18055726 0.4357 0.3467 0.3912 0.0629 16.1 39.7 JNJ18077800 0.1265 0.1588 0.1427 0.0228 16.0 3.9 JNJ18157074 0.1662 0.2521 0.2092 0.0607 29.0 13.5 JNJ18157087 0.1596 0.1566 0.1581 0.0021 1.3 6.1 JNJ18157646 0.2725 0.1636 0.2181 0.0770 35.3 14.8 JNJ18157711 1.2256 1.0636 1.1446 0.1146 10.0 148.0 JNJ18157711 0.1134 0.1070 0.1102 0.0045 4.1 −0.8 JNJ19363357 0.1469 0.1495 0.1482 0.0018 1.2 4.7 JNJ19369233 0.1169 0.1122 0.1146 0.0033 2.9 −0.1 JNJ19369246 0.1595 0.1422 0.1509 0.0122 8.1 5.1 JNJ19370026 1.0484 1.0749 1.0617 0.0187 1.8 136.1 JNJ19376240 0.3012 0.2347 0.2680 0.0470 17.5 21.9 JNJ19386042 0.1267 0.1510 0.1389 0.0172 12.4 3.4 JNJ19410833 1.1902 1.1487 1.1695 0.0293 2.5 151.6 JNJ19410859 0.6400 0.7076 0.6738 0.0478 7.1 80.3 JNJ19410872 0.1701 0.1752 0.1727 0.0036 2.1 8.2 JNJ19558929 0.3435 0.3488 0.3462 0.0037 1.1 33.2 JNJ19567314 0.4032 0.3548 0.3790 0.0342 9.0 37.9 JNJ19567327 0.1602 0.1502 0.1552 0.0071 4.6 5.7 JNJ19567340 0.1604 0.2079 0.1842 0.0336 18.2 9.9 JNJ19567405 0.1646 0.1592 0.1619 0.0038 2.4 6.7 JNJ19573541 0.1779 0.2273 0.2026 0.0349 17.2 12.5 JNJ19574867 0.1225 0.1443 0.1334 0.0154 11.6 2.6 JNJ19574880 0.1300 0.1291 0.1296 0.0006 0.5 2.0 JNJ20948798 0.1263 0.1336 0.1300 0.0052 4.0 2.1 JNJ21192730 0.2778 0.1326 0.2052 0.1027 50.0 12.9 JNJ21194667 0.2569 0.1219 0.1894 0.0955 50.4 10.6 JNJ21196227 0.1640 0.1158 0.1399 0.0341 24.4 3.5 JNJ24843611 1.1486 0.8970 1.0228 0.1779 17.4 130.5 JNJ24843611 0.1358 0.1201 0.1280 0.0111 8.7 1.8 JNJ24326185 0.1257 0.1257 0.1257 0.0000 0.0 1.5 JNJ24843572 0.4676 0.4803 0.4740 0.0090 1.9 51.6 conditioned medium 0.6935 0.7803 0.7369 0.0614 8.3 104.8 no treatment 0.4735 0.6069 0.5402 0.0943 17.5 71.5 AA only + DMSO 0.1428 0.1656 0.1542 0.0161 10.5 6.3 AA + Wnt3a + DMSO 0.5702 0.8468 0.7085 0.1956 27.6 100.0 JNJ24843585 0.1599 0.2380 0.1990 0.0552 27.8 13.8 JNJ25753520 0.1287 0.1244 0.1266 0.0030 2.4 1.6 no cells 0.1241 0.1100 0.1171 0.0100 8.5 0.0 JNJ25753403 0.1235 0.1152 0.1194 0.0059 4.9 0.4 JNJ25757173 0.1199 0.1278 0.1239 0.0056 4.5 1.1 JNJ25757173 0.1174 0.1162 0.1168 0.0008 0.7 −0.1 JNJ25757238 1.1100 0.9464 1.0282 0.1157 11.3 154.1 JNJ25758707 0.1247 0.1115 0.1181 0.0093 7.9 0.2 JNJ25758785 0.2640 0.1688 0.2164 0.0673 31.1 16.8 JNJ25758850 0.2313 0.1307 0.1810 0.0711 39.3 10.8 JNJ25758863 0.8639 0.9218 0.8929 0.0409 4.6 131.2 JNJ25873419 0.2540 0.2320 0.2430 0.0156 6.4 21.3 JNJ25887537 0.1809 0.3077 0.2443 0.0897 36.7 21.5 JNJ25900641 0.1892 0.1872 0.1882 0.0014 0.8 12.0 JNJ25900654 0.1967 0.2492 0.2230 0.0371 16.7 17.9 JNJ25900706 0.3346 0.1619 0.2483 0.1221 49.2 22.2 JNJ26047723 0.1106 0.1138 0.1122 0.0023 2.0 −0.8 JNJ26054912 0.1224 0.1445 0.1335 0.0156 11.7 2.8 JNJ26064571 0.1312 0.1270 0.1291 0.0030 2.3 2.0 JNJ26067626 0.1653 0.2114 0.1884 0.0326 17.3 12.0 JNJ26067652 0.1732 0.1467 0.1600 0.0187 11.7 7.2 JNJ26069901 0.1618 0.2754 0.2186 0.0803 36.7 17.2 JNJ26077883 1.0006 0.9631 0.9819 0.0265 2.7 146.2 JNJ26116922 0.6472 0.4319 0.5396 0.1522 28.2 71.4 JNJ26120601 0.1539 0.1469 0.1504 0.0049 3.3 5.6 JNJ26120614 0.1127 0.1309 0.1218 0.0129 10.6 0.8 JNJ26128726 0.6887 0.5860 0.6374 0.0726 11.4 88.0 JNJ26130403 0.1141 0.1094 0.1118 0.0033 3.0 −0.9 JNJ26134771 0.2774 0.1690 0.2232 0.0767 34.3 17.9 JNJ26150202 0.9482 1.1150 1.0316 0.1179 11.4 154.6 JNJ26153647 0.7687 0.6804 0.7246 0.0624 8.6 102.7 JNJ26158015 0.7125 0.3347 0.5236 0.2671 51.0 68.7 JNJ26158054 0.1446 0.1221 0.1334 0.0159 11.9 2.7 JNJ26158093 1.0968 1.3108 1.2038 0.1513 12.6 183.8 JNJ26158106 0.3167 0.3415 0.3291 0.0175 5.3 35.8 JNJ26161343 0.1261 0.1144 0.1203 0.0083 6.9 0.5 JNJ26170794 0.2223 0.2930 0.2577 0.0500 19.4 23.8 JNJ26170820 0.1265 0.1236 0.1251 0.0021 1.6 1.3 JNJ26170833 1.1940 0.9431 1.0686 0.1774 16.6 160.9 JNJ26177086 1.0689 0.6879 0.8784 0.2694 30.7 128.7 JNJ26177762 1.0444 0.7603 0.9024 0.2009 22.3 132.8 JNJ26184457 0.1443 0.1209 0.1326 0.0165 12.5 2.6 JNJ26219050 0.1152 0.1309 0.1231 0.0111 9.0 1.0 conditioned medium 0.7590 0.7451 0.7521 0.0098 1.3 98.0 no treatment 0.5687 0.4490 0.5089 0.0846 16.6 60.4 AA only + DMSO 0.1988 0.1522 0.1755 0.0330 18.8 8.9 AA + Wnt3a + DMSO 0.6837 0.8460 0.7649 0.1148 15.0 100.0 JNJ26219063 0.1911 0.1101 0.1506 0.0573 38.0 5.0 JNJ26220454 0.2772 0.1151 0.1962 0.1146 58.4 12.1 no cells 0.1278 0.1084 0.1181 0.0137 11.6 0.0 JNJ26241774 0.1443 0.2120 0.1782 0.0479 26.9 9.3 JNJ26241917 0.4413 0.2238 0.3326 0.1538 46.2 33.2 JNJ26243204 0.1098 0.1085 0.1092 0.0009 0.8 −1.4 JNJ26247143 0.1389 0.2147 0.1768 0.0536 30.3 9.1 JNJ26248729 0.1852 0.1342 0.1597 0.0361 22.6 6.4 JNJ26261105 0.1114 0.1295 0.1205 0.0128 10.6 0.4 JNJ26361712 0.5375 0.6158 0.5767 0.0554 9.6 70.9 JNJ26361725 0.1259 0.1441 0.1350 0.0129 9.5 2.6 JNJ26366730 0.1206 0.1312 0.1259 0.0075 6.0 1.2 JNJ26367991 0.2269 0.2857 0.2563 0.0416 16.2 21.4 JNJ26367991 0.1140 0.1079 0.1110 0.0043 3.9 −1.1 JNJ26399906 0.9589 0.8868 0.9229 0.0510 5.5 124.4 JNJ26399906 1.0442 0.9622 1.0032 0.0580 5.8 136.8 JNJ26399945 0.1961 0.1735 0.1848 0.0160 8.6 10.3 JNJ26399971 0.5732 0.5216 0.5474 0.0365 6.7 66.4 JNJ26399984 0.1273 0.1217 0.1245 0.0040 3.2 1.0 JNJ26399997 0.5932 0.6671 0.6302 0.0523 8.3 79.2 JNJ26400049 0.1444 0.1368 0.1406 0.0054 3.8 3.5 JNJ26483197 1.0786 1.0891 1.0839 0.0074 0.7 149.3 JNJ26483310 0.5418 0.2338 0.3878 0.2178 56.2 41.7 JNJ26483223 0.1268 0.2052 0.1660 0.0554 33.4 7.4 JNJ26483236 0.1169 0.1184 0.1177 0.0011 0.9 −0.1 JNJ26483249 0.8618 1.0400 0.9509 0.1260 13.3 128.8 JNJ26483249 0.8430 1.0187 0.9309 0.1242 13.3 125.7 JNJ26483262 0.3659 0.3168 0.3414 0.0347 10.2 34.5 JNJ26511901 0.9184 0.8116 0.8650 0.0755 8.7 115.5 JNJ26511927 0.2384 0.3156 0.2770 0.0546 19.7 24.6 JNJ26511953 0.2297 0.1469 0.1883 0.0585 31.1 10.9 RWJ67694 0.1955 0.1256 0.1606 0.0494 30.8 6.6 RWJ676940 0.1658 0.1704 0.1681 0.0033 1.9 7.7 RWJ677545 0.1399 0.1303 0.1351 0.0068 5.0 2.6 RWJ678986 0.1234 0.1236 0.1235 0.0001 0.1 0.8 RWJ680665 0.1397 0.2147 0.1772 0.0530 29.9 9.1 RWJ680667 0.1218 0.1310 0.1264 0.0065 5.1 1.3 RWJ680668 0.1456 0.1981 0.1719 0.0371 21.6 8.3 RWJ680669 0.5412 0.1898 0.3655 0.2485 68.0 38.2 RWJ680858 0.1996 0.1245 0.1621 0.0531 32.8 6.8 RWJ680858 0.1418 0.2014 0.1716 0.0421 24.6 8.3 RWJ680879 0.1106 0.1197 0.1152 0.0064 5.6 −0.5 RWJ680885 0.1159 0.1272 0.1216 0.0080 6.6 0.5 conditioned medium 0.8077 0.7210 0.7644 0.0613 8.0 74.7 no treatment + DMSO 0.4638 0.4073 0.4356 0.0400 9.2 36.7 AA/Wnt3a 0.8466 0.9935 0.9830 0.2592 26.4 100.0 JNJ10222784 0.8095 0.9055 0.8575 0.0679 7.9 85.5 JNJ10222927 0.3519 0.4708 0.4114 0.0841 20.4 33.9 JNJ10231273 0.1609 0.1275 0.1442 0.0236 16.4 3.1 JNJ10259847 0.5020 0.2733 0.3877 0.1617 41.7 31.2 JNJ10259847 0.3413 0.4146 0.3780 0.0518 13.7 30.1 JNJ17154215 0.1176 0.1174 0.1175 0.0001 0.1 0.0 JNJ17154215 0.1148 0.1410 0.1279 0.0185 14.5 1.2 JNJ17157659 0.2394 0.2450 0.2422 0.0040 1.6 14.4 JNJ17163042 0.3672 0.3098 0.3385 0.0406 12.0 25.5 JNJ10166565 0.2722 0.1593 0.2158 0.0798 37.0 11.3 JNJ17174664 0.5079 0.4349 0.4714 0.0516 11.0 40.9 JNJ17187027 0.1076 0.1168 0.1122 0.0065 5.8 −0.6 JNJ17187053 0.2569 0.2151 0.2360 0.0296 12.5 13.7 JNJ17193774 0.2846 0.4376 0.3611 0.1082 30.0 28.1 JNJ17200976 0.1168 0.1136 0.1152 0.0023 2.0 −0.3 JNJ17205955 0.1168 0.1152 0.1160 0.0011 1.0 −0.2 JNJ17205955 0.1137 0.1195 0.1166 0.0041 3.5 −0.1 JNJ17205994 0.1154 0.1152 0.1153 0.0001 0.1 −0.3 JNJ17226703 0.2188 0.2353 0.2271 0.0117 5.1 12.6 JNJ17982133 0.4588 0.2521 0.3555 0.1462 41.1 27.5 JNJ17989049 0.3081 0.1961 0.2521 0.0792 31.4 15.5 conditioned medium 0.7914 1.1189 0.9552 0.2316 24.2 93.3 no treatment 0.4215 0.5259 0.4737 0.0738 15.6 39.8 no cells 0.1152 0.1160 0.1156 0.0006 0.5 0.0 AA/Wnt3a 0.7168 0.8836 1.0151 0.2016 19.9 100.0 RWJ680991 0.2882 0.2308 0.2844 0.0499 17.6 18.8 RWJ680992 0.3049 0.2845 0.3127 0.0282 9.0 21.9 RWJ680993 0.5403 0.2570 0.3855 0.1332 34.6 30.0 RWJ681140 0.7323 0.3034 0.4388 0.2041 46.5 35.9 RWJ681142 0.1185 0.1216 0.1199 0.0018 1.5 0.5 RWJ681146 0.2496 0.2683 0.2302 0.0376 16.3 12.7 RWJ681945 0.1548 0.1356 0.1513 0.0134 8.8 4.0 RWJ68198 0.1555 0.1450 0.1581 0.0161 10.2 4.7 RWJ682205 0.2347 0.1920 0.3785 0.2589 68.4 29.2 RWJ447228 0.1842 0.2093 0.3793 0.2585 68.2 29.3 RWJ675430 0.7223 0.8707 0.4291 0.2452 57.2 34.8 RWJ355923 0.6268 0.3192 0.3354 0.1667 49.7 24.4

TABLE VII Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells. List Strong Hits List Moderate Hits >=120% control 60-120% control JNJ Number % Control Value JNJ Number % Control Value RWJ352628 195.3 JNJ26511901 115.5 JNJ26158093 183.8 RWJ676431 113.8 RWJ353258 180.4 RWJ673515 108.3 JNJ26170833 160.9 JNJ26533156 105.5 JNJ26150202 154.6 JNJ26153647 102.7 JNJ25757238 154.1 RWJ676639 93.0 JNJ19410833 151.6 JNJ26128726 88.0 JNJ26483197 149.3 JNJ10222784 85.5 JNJ18157711 148.0 RWJ67657 84.7 RWJ676139 147.3 JNJ26512005 84.0 JNJ26077883 146.2 JNJ19410859 80.3 RWJ352190 142.3 JNJ26399997 79.2 JNJ26399906 136.8 RWJ676137 77.5 JNJ19370026 136.1 RWJ675260 76.9 JNJ26177762 132.8 RWJ355923 76.7 RWJ676432 131.6 RWJ675266 75.2 JNJ25758863 131.2 JNJ26116922 71.4 RWJ675430 130.9 JNJ26361712 70.9 JNJ24843611 130.5 RWJ670804 70.7 RWJ675605 129.0 RWJ675881 69.9 JNJ26483249 128.8 JNJ26158015 68.7 JNJ26177086 128.7 RWJ352244 68.2 JNJ26483249 125.7 RWJ674239 67.4 JNJ26399906 124.4 JNJ26399971 66.4 RWJ675948 120.0 JNJ26714194 63.3 JNJ26533065 61.1

TABLE VIII Dose-DEPENDANT Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the proliferation of CELLS OF THE human embryonic stem cell LINE H1. Concentration JNJ10220067 JNJ17163796 JNJ17189731 JNJ17223375 JNJ18157698 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 1.006 0.051 0.039 0.049 0.193 0.147 1.280 0.014 1.049 0.062 5 1.058 0.047 1.164 0.018 0.889 0.035 1.348 0.007 1.104 0.014 2.5 1.031 0.054 1.022 0.023 0.896 0.035 1.318 0.028 0.932 0.087 1.25 0.899 0.040 1.121 0.023 1.120 0.072 1.159 0.041 1.006 0.023 0.625 0.742 0.095 1.092 0.044 1.107 0.093 1.029 0.018 0.832 0.026 0.313 0.754 0.010 0.931 0.056 1.132 0.018 1.018 0.044 0.742 0.127 0.156 0.822 0.074 0.804 0.002 1.082 0.041 0.776 0.054 0.712 0.020 Concentration JNJ26158015 JNJ26483197 JNJ26483249 JNJ17225871 JNJ17228458 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.001 0.001 0.096 0.103 0.058 0.074 0.290 0.307 0.000 0.000 5 0.034 0.035 0.262 0.268 0.173 0.207 0.458 0.263 0.089 0.067 2.5 0.566 0.461 0.592 0.019 0.428 0.326 0.640 0.104 0.438 0.050 1.25 0.897 0.103 1.124 0.101 0.850 0.238 0.739 0.129 0.636 0.016 0.625 0.921 0.122 1.106 0.056 0.910 0.061 0.805 0.036 0.736 0.025 0.313 1.028 0.069 0.888 0.213 0.868 0.131 0.785 0.094 0.791 0.038 0.156 1.027 0.067 0.890 0.079 0.742 0.051 0.774 0.027 0.832 0.005 Concentration JNJ19370026 JNJ26150202 JNJ26170833 JNJ26177086 JNJ26177762 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.000 0.000 0.496 0.690 0.129 0.170 0.412 0.081 0.996 0.246 5 0.024 0.034 0.768 0.490 0.530 0.080 1.128 0.026 0.908 0.179 2.5 1.097 0.294 1.001 0.129 1.174 0.016 1.031 0.217 1.005 0.086 1.25 1.446 0.076 1.158 0.043 1.113 0.057 0.914 0.100 1.200 0.085 0.625 1.296 0.183 0.699 0.248 1.188 0.041 0.801 0.136 1.111 0.300 0.313 1.034 0.197 0.617 0.232 1.158 0.102 0.785 0.121 0.959 0.094 0.156 0.826 0.030 0.812 0.120 0.974 0.065 0.659 0.068 0.912 0.059 Concentration JNJ26512005 JNJ26533065 JNJ26533156 JNJ26714194 JNJ3026582 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.000 0.000 0.021 0.027 0.002 0.002 0.052 0.067 0.053 0.024 5 0.000 0.000 0.339 0.254 1.011 0.499 1.161 0.134 0.905 0.036 2.5 0.192 0.233 1.350 0.170 1.724 0.042 1.293 0.020 1.019 0.015 1.25 0.552 0.458 1.277 0.101 1.652 0.032 1.213 0.087 1.163 0.062 0.625 0.895 0.054 0.713 0.151 1.357 0.023 1.025 0.045 1.231 0.152 0.313 0.734 0.075 0.665 0.207 1.213 0.177 1.241 0.031 1.216 0.007 0.156 0.594 0.078 0.469 0.465 1.206 0.142 1.041 0.007 1.103 0.065

TABLE IX Dose-DEPENDANT Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the DIFFERENTIATION of CELLS OF THE human embryonic stem cell LINE H1. Concentration JNJ10220067 JNJ17163796 JNJ17189731 JNJ17223375 JNJ18157698 [uM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 10 0.889 0.144 0.029 0.034 0.140 0.095 1.183 0.044 0.969 0.040 5 1.004 0.021 0.824 0.035 0.785 0.077 1.171 0.010 1.013 0.002 2.5 1.023 0.092 0.849 0.003 0.842 0.032 1.169 0.031 0.838 0.068 1.25 0.954 0.100 0.985 0.082 1.028 0.043 1.106 0.006 0.940 0.071 0.625 0.793 0.135 0.986 0.059 1.016 0.000 0.931 0.033 0.767 0.014 0.313 0.803 0.048 0.916 0.028 1.058 0.017 0.943 0.056 0.692 0.167 0.156 0.941 0.106 0.822 0.036 1.039 0.015 0.789 0.074 0.651 0.032 Concentration JNJ26158015 JNJ26483197 JNJ26483249 JNJ17225871 JNJ17228458 [uM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 10 0.001 0.001 0.034 0.027 0.054 0.063 0.267 0.280 0.000 0.001 5 0.017 0.020 0.071 0.054 0.141 0.169 0.402 0.229 0.056 0.035 2.5 0.200 0.157 0.497 0.076 0.373 0.326 0.605 0.041 0.286 0.034 1.25 0.792 0.066 0.993 0.144 0.783 0.282 0.686 0.185 0.587 0.023 0.625 0.824 0.118 1.061 0.066 0.887 0.062 0.786 0.061 0.695 0.001 0.313 0.934 0.127 0.937 0.136 0.859 0.176 0.780 0.132 0.753 0.098 0.156 0.986 0.055 0.888 0.062 0.666 0.015 0.782 0.061 0.816 0.043 Concentration JNJ19370026 JNJ26150202 JNJ26170833 JNJ26177086 JNJ26177762 [uM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 10 0.000 0.000 0.491 0.681 0.281 0.358 0.330 0.059 0.701 0.307 5 0.035 0.049 0.158 0.224 0.460 0.189 0.846 0.036 0.728 0.146 2.5 1.336 0.192 0.800 0.201 1.018 0.139 0.887 0.191 0.928 0.019 1.25 1.238 0.030 0.910 0.045 0.960 0.106 0.819 0.179 1.159 0.093 0.625 0.997 0.095 0.567 0.190 1.050 0.038 0.755 0.126 1.136 0.186 0.313 0.791 0.172 0.515 0.276 1.032 0.063 0.667 0.125 1.006 0.009 0.156 0.669 0.037 0.708 0.148 0.950 0.087 0.628 0.053 0.922 0.096 Concentration JNJ26512005 JNJ26533065 JNJ26533156 JNJ26714194 JNJ3026582 [uM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 10 0.000 0.000 0.018 0.021 0.002 0.001 0.054 0.062 0.074 0.048 5 0.000 0.000 0.235 0.174 1.052 0.281 1.250 0.177 1.006 0.070 2.5 0.270 0.382 1.153 0.223 1.459 0.074 1.186 0.069 1.120 0.038 1.25 0.678 0.434 1.055 0.046 1.322 0.078 1.112 0.038 1.122 0.009 0.625 0.978 0.021 0.569 0.124 1.173 0.015 0.913 0.005 1.241 0.230 0.313 0.742 0.048 0.555 0.118 1.102 0.165 1.140 0.036 1.231 0.012 0.156 0.508 0.049 0.451 0.443 1.060 0.126 0.998 0.006 1.034 0.008

TABLE X Dose-DEPENDANT Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the proliferation of CELLS OF THE human embryonic stem cell LINE H9. Concentration JNJ10220067 JNJ17163796 JNJ17189731 JNJ17223375 JNJ18157698 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.164 0.209 0.001 0.000 0.049 0.028 0.123 0.106 0.770 0.077 5 0.147 0.141 0.616 0.497 0.583 0.155 0.954 0.146 0.496 0.011 2.5 0.140 0.112 1.295 0.402 1.108 0.170 0.795 0.101 0.384 0.247 1.25 0.307 0.198 1.233 0.058 1.195 0.147 0.541 0.051 0.395 0.002 0.625 0.138 0.071 0.606 0.121 1.100 0.014 0.332 0.049 0.221 0.009 0.313 0.063 0.008 0.397 0.020 0.887 0.078 0.206 0.085 0.172 0.071 0.156 0.069 0.001 0.214 0.025 0.699 0.109 0.142 0.039 0.138 0.048 Concentration JNJ26158015 JNJ26483197 JNJ26483249 JNJ17225871 JNJ17228458 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.001 0.000 0.785 0.192 0.208 0.134 0.377 0.040 0.000 0.000 5 0.023 0.024 1.067 0.236 0.320 0.087 0.336 0.081 0.052 0.009 2.5 0.681 0.223 1.368 0.025 0.388 0.019 0.296 0.016 0.089 0.003 1.25 1.011 0.461 1.477 0.147 0.334 0.113 0.222 0.035 0.106 0.003 0.625 0.927 0.108 0.899 0.108 0.267 0.148 0.282 0.096 0.169 0.041 0.313 0.686 0.022 0.540 0.094 0.192 0.056 0.208 0.003 0.119 0.026 0.156 0.458 0.001 0.206 0.089 0.147 0.067 0.174 0.051 0.067 0.015 Concentration JNJ19370026 JNJ26150202 JNJ26170833 JNJ26177086 JNJ26177762 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.000 0.000 0.452 0.094 0.002 0.001 1.117 0.043 1.022 0.422 5 0.002 0.000 0.433 0.050 1.325 0.015 0.793 0.030 1.281 0.109 2.5 0.668 0.059 0.521 0.229 1.355 0.026 0.600 0.122 1.197 0.068 1.25 0.988 0.032 0.293 0.038 1.182 0.076 0.442 0.018 1.039 0.213 0.625 0.390 0.032 0.200 0.122 0.928 0.127 0.371 0.072 0.686 0.014 0.313 0.250 0.090 0.072 0.025 0.772 0.050 0.100 0.008 0.437 0.066 0.156 0.095 0.020 0.057 0.044 0.336 0.056 0.072 0.015 0.276 0.043 Concentration JNJ26512005 JNJ26533065 JNJ26533156 JNJ26714194 JNJ3026582 [uM] Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD Cell number SD 10 0.007 0.002 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.044 0.038 0.004 0.001 5 0.002 0.001 0.127 0.069 0.415 0.023 0.382 0.110 0.017 0.003 2.5 0.001 0.001 0.151 0.059 0.425 0.082 0.345 0.001 0.033 0.037 1.25 0.090 0.097 0.108 0.051 0.325 0.042 0.284 0.076 0.044 0.028 0.625 0.248 0.058 0.230 0.168 0.314 0.062 0.266 0.021 0.100 0.099 0.313 0.264 0.048 0.086 0.033 0.267 0.098 0.347 0.084 0.057 0.032 0.156 0.133 0.069 0.063 0.004 0.218 0.012 0.192 0.014 0.070 0.048

TABLE XI Dose-DEPENDANT Effects of Inhibitors of GSK-3B Enzyme Activity on the DIFFERENTIATION of CELLS OF THE human embryonic stem cell LINE H9. Concentration JNJ10220067 JNJ17163796 JNJ17189731 JNJ17223375 JNJ18157698 [μM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 0.157 0.051 0.003 0.132 0.003 0.678 0.093 0.116 0.047 0.095 0.025 0.313 0.052 0.008 0.311 0.005 0.951 0.010 0.155 0.071 0.110 0.030 0.625 0.103 0.058 0.453 0.076 1.160 0.013 0.277 0.061 0.154 0.013 1.25 0.312 0.255 1.012 0.051 1.042 0.134 0.459 0.066 0.317 0.062 2.5 0.100 0.062 0.986 0.269 0.869 0.158 0.726 0.079 0.297 0.235 5 0.105 0.089 0.480 0.423 0.432 0.111 1.114 0.066 0.353 0.080 10 0.121 0.141 0.002 0.002 0.022 0.005 0.140 0.110 0.694 0.123 Concentration JNJ26158015 JNJ26483197 JNJ26483249 JNJ17225871 JNJ17228458 [μM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 0.157 0.364 0.044 0.149 0.058 0.125 0.051 0.132 0.063 0.039 0.010 0.313 0.577 0.062 0.398 0.166 0.129 0.018 0.146 0.005 0.070 0.027 0.625 0.985 0.072 0.678 0.197 0.212 0.134 0.196 0.084 0.137 0.049 1.25 0.943 0.419 1.110 0.042 0.202 0.103 0.129 0.029 0.075 0.017 2.5 0.559 0.238 0.857 0.012 0.209 0.045 0.177 0.030 0.053 0.005 5 0.019 0.019 0.194 0.007 0.154 0.023 0.174 0.070 0.038 0.001 10 0.001 0.001 0.129 0.037 0.129 0.067 0.200 0.022 0.000 0.000 Concentration JNJ19370026 JNJ26150202 JNJ26170833 JNJ26177086 JNJ26177762 [μM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 0.157 0.074 0.024 0.040 0.030 0.291 0.086 0.054 0.014 0.186 0.040 0.313 0.170 0.046 0.051 0.016 0.746 0.088 0.080 0.006 0.342 0.068 0.625 0.246 0.036 0.150 0.095 0.941 0.111 0.268 0.050 0.563 0.019 1.25 0.981 0.075 0.155 0.010 1.119 0.045 0.332 0.006 0.936 0.186 2.5 0.914 0.038 0.408 0.279 1.305 0.066 0.432 0.154 1.146 0.137 5 0.001 0.001 0.251 0.092 1.185 0.012 0.543 0.004 1.127 0.121 10 0.000 0.000 0.262 0.068 0.000 0.000 0.822 0.024 0.759 0.328 Concentration JNJ26512005 JNJ26533065 JNJ26533156 JNJ26714194 JNJ3026582 [μM] Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD Sox17 Intensity SD 0.157 0.085 0.041 0.049 0.011 0.173 0.009 0.146 0.041 0.059 0.051 0.313 0.240 0.030 0.068 0.010 0.203 0.061 0.282 0.135 0.054 0.040 0.625 0.165 0.043 0.222 0.201 0.220 0.070 0.202 0.013 0.073 0.066 1.25 0.114 0.134 0.076 0.034 0.202 0.002 0.165 0.030 0.053 0.035 2.5 0.001 0.001 0.120 0.066 0.299 0.019 0.205 0.002 0.042 0.049 5 0.001 0.001 0.087 0.036 0.300 0.095 0.234 0.078 0.016 0.001 10 0.009 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.042 0.028 0.004 0.003 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to expand and differentiate human pluripotent cells, comprising the steps of culturing pluripotent cells, and treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK 3B enzyme activity having the Formula III:

wherein A and E are each independently selected from a hydrogen substituted carbon atom and a nitrogen atom:

wherein N is 1H-indole, 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine, 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine or 1H-indazole; Z is O or dihydro; wherein each hydrogen atom is attached by a single bond; R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from C₁₋₈alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl and C₂₋₈alkynyl optionally substituted with oxo; R₂ is —C₁₋₈alkyl-, —C₂₋₈alkenyl-, —C₂₋₈alkynyl-, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkenyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkynyl-O—, —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—, halogen, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, oxo, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl; and R₁ and R₃ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl, and C₂₋₈alkynyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl linking group is optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, spirocycloalkyl, spiroheterocyclyl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C(O)O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, —C₁₋₈alkyl-C(O)O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxy and nitro; wherein each amino group is optionally substituted with hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl wherein each cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl group is optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino, and amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxy and nitro; wherein each heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, nitro (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl), oxo, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₀₋₅—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋₆)₀₋₅—NR₆—, —O—(CH₂)₁₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆NR₆—, —(O—(CH₂)₁₋)₀₋₅—S—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —NR₆—, —NR₆—NR₇—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₈—, —NR₆—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₆—, —C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₀₋₆—C(O)—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₀₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₁₋₆—C(O)—(CH₂)₀₋₅—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(O)—NR₇—, —NR₆—C(NR₇)—NR₈—, —O—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—O—, —NR₉—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₉—, —S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—, —NR₆—(CH₂)₁₋₆—S—(CH₂)₁₋₆—NR₇— and —SO₂—, wherein R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl; and wherein R₉ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈alkyl, C₁₋₈alkoxy(C₁₋₈)alkyl, carboxyl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₈)alkyl; with the proviso that, if A and E are a hydrogen substituted carbon atom, then R₂ is —C₂₋₈alkynyl-, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkenyl-O—, —O—(C₂₋₈)alkynyl-O—, or —C(O)—(C₁₋₈)alkyl-C(O)—.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are embryonic stem cells.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are cells expressing pluripotency markers derived from embryonic stem cells.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cells expressing pluripotency markers express at least one of the following pluripotency markers selected from the group consisting of: ABCG2, cripto, FoxD3, Connexin43, Connexin45, Oct4, SOX-2, Nanog, hTERT, UTF-1, ZFP42, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra1-60, and Tra1-81.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about one to about 72 hours.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about 12 to about 48 hours.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluripotent cells are treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about 48 hours.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 100 nM to about 100 μM.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 1 μM to about 10 μM.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 10 μM.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of the Formula (III) is: 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H-dipyrido[2,3-k:3′,2′-q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]trioxadiazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23-decahydro-9,4:24,29-dimetheno-1H-dipyrido[2,3-n:3′,2′-t]pyrrolo[3,4-q][11,4,7,10,13,22]tetraoxadiazacyclotetracosine-1,3(2H)-dione; 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23,25,26-dodecahydro-9,4:27,32-dimetheno-1H-dipyrido[2,3-q: 3′,2′-w]pyrrolo[3,4-t][1,4,7,10,13,16,25] pentaoxadiazacycloheptacosine-1,3(2H)-dione; 6,7,9,10,12,13-hexahydro-20H-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-5H-dibenzo[h,n]pyrrolo[3,4-k][1,4,7,16]dioxadiazacyclooctadecine-20,22(21H)-dione; 6,7,9,10,12,13,15,16-octahydro-23H-5,26:17,22-dimetheno-5H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]trioxadiazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 10,11,13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23-decahydro-9,4:24,29-dimetheno-1H-dibenzo[n,t]pyrrolo[3,4-q][1,4,7,10,13,22]tetraoxadiazacyclotetracosine-1,3(2H)-dione; 3-[1-[3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamino]propyl]-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(3-pyridinyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3,5-dichloro-N-[3-chloro-4-[(3,4,12,12a-tetrahydro-1H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-11(6H)-yl)carbonyl]phenyl]-benzamide; 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 6-[[2-[[4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]ethyl]amino]-3-pyridinecarbonitrile; 3-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-[1,2,3]triazol-1-yl-propyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]-4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyrimidin-5-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyrimidin-5-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; (11Z)-8,9,10,13,14,15-hexahydro-2,6:17,21-di(metheno)pyrrolo[3,4-h][1,15,7]dioxazacyclotricosine-22,24(1H,23H)-dione; 3-(5-chloro-1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-[1-(3-methoxy-propyl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pynidin-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 2-{3-[4-(5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]-indazol-1-yl}-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-acetamide; 4-(3-chloro-phenyl)-6-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-2,4,6-triaza-cyclopenta[c]fluorine-1,3-dione; 14-ethyl-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-dimethenodibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 14-benzyl-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26;17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 3-(1-{2-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13-octahydro-8,11-dimethyl-5,23:14,19-dimetheno-20H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10]tetraazacyclooctadecine-20,22(21H)-dione; 7,8,9,10,12,13,16,17,18,19-decahydro-8,17-dimethyl-15H,26H-5,29:20,25-dimetheno-6H-dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10, 19,22]dioxatetraazacyclotetracosine-26,28(27H)-dione; 14-(2-furylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 14-(2-thienylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][11,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 14-(1-naphthylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 14-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 3-[1-(2-{2-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylamino)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-{1-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylamino)-ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(3-dimethylamino-phenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[5-chloro-1-(6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione; or 5-(5-chloro-3-{4-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl}-indol-1-yl)-nicotinic acid methyl ester.
 13. A method to expand and differentiate human pluripotent cells comprising: culturing the pluripotent cells; and treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: 3-[1-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 3-[1-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 6-[(2-{[4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-yl]amino}ethyl)amino]pyridine-3 carbonitrile; 3-[1-{3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methyl)amino]propyl}-1H-indazol-3-yl)-4-(1-pyridin-3-yl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione; 14-ethyl-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno-dizenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacycloheneicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; 14-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione; and 14-(napthalen-1-ylmethyl)-6,7,9,10,13,14,15,16-octahydro-12H,23H-5,26:17,22-di(metheno)dibenzo[k,q]pyrrolo[3,4-n][1,4,7,10,19]dioxatriazacyclohenicosine-23,25(24H)-dione.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pluripotent cells are cells expressing pluripotency markers of embryonic stem cells.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cells expressing pluripotency markers express at least one of the markers selected from the group consisting of: ABCG1, crypto, FoxD3, Connexin43, Connexin45, Oct4, SOX-2, Nanog, HTERT, UTF-1, ZFP42, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra-1-60, and Tra-1-81.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pluripotent cells are differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the pluripotent cells are treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about one to about 72 hours.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the pluripotent cells are treated with the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity for about 12 to about 48 hours.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 100 nM to about 100 μM.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity is used at a concentration of about 10 μM. 